Rehearsals for huge outdoor show in Bishop Auckland

With just over three months until its opening night on 1st July,preparations are in full swing for the second season of ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’ – to deliver a show that organisers says will be even ‘Bigger, Better and Brighter’.

The first season saw more than 100,000 people visit Bishop Auckland in County Durham to experience 2,000 years of British history, as seen from a North East perspective.

One new scene will focus on the exploits of Queen Boudicca, whose uprising against Roman occupiers ended in defeat.

Other new characters and scenes will include Lindisfarne fisherwomen, agiant Viking Axeman at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, medieval wrestlers, a musket battle between Roundheads and Cavaliers in the English Civil War, and a WWI motorcycle chase involving German and British soldiers.

Visitors will experience displays of horsemanship thanks to theexpert equestrian training led by the international eventer Anna Warnecke,Eleven Arches’ Head of Cavalry.

It is run by an organisation called Eleven Arches.

Its new creative director, Olympic and Paralympic opening ceremony specialist, Steve Boyd has brought in a larger volunteer cast and more special effects for this year's event.

Eleven Arches is the vision of philanthropist and investment managerJonathan Ruffer, and is one of two charities he has established in BishopAuckland, the other is the Auckland Castle Trust.

The aim of the charities is to establish Bishop Auckland as an international tourist destination.

Performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays between July 1st and September 16th.