The spectacular 2019 version of 'Kynren – an epic tale of England' was performed for the very first time at the weekend ahead of its official premiere on 29th June.

Performances will be taking place every Saturday until 14th September*.

The multi-award-winning outdoor live show takes place on a purpose-built 7.5-acre stage on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland, County Durham and features a cast and crew of a thousand.

The 2019 show, which has the theme 'Year of the Viking', incorporates a series of new scenes, stunts and pre-show entertainment including a major new walkthrough Viking Village experience.

Thrilling new additions include a Viking longship burial on the water, with live Vikings on board, the kidnapping of a fisherwoman and lots of dramatic fiery effects and explosions.

For the first time audiences are also able to wander through an authentic recreation of a Viking village before the show which includes a cookhouse complete with vegetable patch, a woodworker's cottage built into the hillside and a working blacksmith's forge.

Other pre-show attractions include the Georgian Animal Croft - where you can meet Kynren's cast of animal actors, the Food Village featuring local, high quality suppliers and a new 1940's Bar with a street party vibe. The attractions open up three-and-a-half hours before the show begins (three hours before in September). 

The new show has won rich praise from those who attended the preview event.

Chris Lloyd's review in the Northern Echo stated: 'Kynren is a staggering live show on an epic scale with a cast of a thousand – plus scores of geese, sheep, goats and charging horses – romping through 2,000 years of largely North-East history in 90 minutes across a super widescreen stage.

'The fourth season of Kynren began on Saturday night in spectacular style with rampaging Vikings burning a Saxon village to the ground.'

Commenting on Twitter, Paul Roberts, said: 'Just got back from a preview of the latest version of Kynren and I can report it is better than ever, an amazingly captivating sensory extravaganza.'

The award-winning travel and food blog Go Eat Do called it: 'Magnificent: a genuine spectacle.'

• Tickets are now available online at kynren.com. Adults from £25, Under 18 from £15, Under 4s are Free, Family Tickets (2+2) £110.All tickets are sold on a first come first served basis so book early to secure the best seats.

*No show on Saturday, 3rd August.