ChronicleLive was given a special behind-the-scenes visit to Kynren theme park in County Durham, where reporters Owen and Georgia enjoyed a full day of shows, history, action, and birds. They also had the chance to dress up as a Viking and learn how the cast puts the amazing show together.
Meet the Team Behind the Magic
The Chronicle spoke to team members like Jimmy Robinson, Curator of Birds & Conservation at Kynren, whose dedication to educating the public about the importance of birds in The Lost Feather is evident in both the care of the birds and the show, where visitors can see them up close in flight. Jimmy told ChronicleLive about the care that goes into each bird, with each of the over 200 birds he works with having their own personality and name.
The conservation work at Kynren is clear as they look forward to breeding vulnerable birds like their Stellar Sea Eagles and critically endangered African White Backed Vultures, giving them a helping hand to see their numbers thrive again in the wild.
Horses and Vikings
ChronicleLive also spoke to Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry and Estates at Kynren, who works with the 39 horses that take part in performances like The Trusty Steed. The cast includes rare Grey Shire horses, of which there are only 200 left in the world. The Shire horse was a familiar sight in history, commonly found in the fields alongside North East farmers from the Iron Age onwards.
ChronicleLive caught the horses at bath time after they enjoyed a trot around the paddocks, before being cleaned up and taking to the stage to show the amazing talent of these creatures and the bonds they have with their Kynren riders.
Then, ChronicleLive was swept away to the land of the Vikings, where Owen joined the cast and tried what it was like to be a Viking, including a lesson in sword fighting.
