Kynren is back on 27 July – we meet the team preparing for a spectacular summer

ANNA WARNEKE, CEO AND MOUNTED STUNT RIDER

When we sat down with Anna Warneke earlier this month, it was certainly one of the most unusual CEO interviews we’ve ever written… in the most brilliant way.

Anna used to be Director of Cavalry & Estates before taking the CEO position in late 2023. A former equestrian eventer, she’s been involved in Kynren since the very first year, co-ordinating volunteers and making sure that the horses are comfortable with the lights and music involved in a Kynren performance. The horses, volunteers, and 11Arches staff had never done anything like Kynren that first year, and for a long time Anna was working with the horses every minute of the day to make sure they were entirely comfortable on stage.

Incredibly, she also rides in the show herself as the stunt rider who is set on fire and gallops across the stage. Her partner, Graham, helped create the working replica of Stephenson’s Rocket and rides a motorbike during the WWII battle scene, while their daughter Lucy and son Lukas are in the Kynren cast – it’s a real family affair. 

MEET COSMO – KYNREN’S LATEST RECRUIT

Cosmo, the majestic grey shire horse, is being put through his paces as the latest recruit to join the cast and crew. Preparing for his starring role as a carriage horse, Cosmo is already impressing the cavalry team with his natural ability on the vast stage.

You’ll spot him in some of the processions and the action-packed Viking attack scene where a fisherwoman is kidnapped by Vikings raiding the village.

Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry & Estates at Kynren said: “Cosmo has taken to his carriage driving responsibilities incredibly well. He truly is an exceptional horse, and we feel very lucky to have him in our team.

Laurie leads a team of highly skilled specialists who ensure Cosmo and over 150 animals in the cast are well cared for.

“We have 39 performance horses as well as sheep, geese and goats, which all need to be cared for to the highest standards,” adds Laurie.

MEET JADEN DIXON – THE ARCHER GROWING UP ON SET

All of the volunteers at Kynren are called ‘archers’ and they swap roles throughout the season – apart from a very distinct few who have specific roles. Jaden Dixon is a Kynren archer who has literally grown up on set. He was nine-years-old when he joined the cast in Season 1 and is now 18.

He said “I’ve been in Kynren since the very beginning and have played many different roles over the years on three different teams – I’ve even played Arthur in the show. I keep coming back every year just because it is such an amazing family to be a part of. I can’t wait for the new season.”

MEET THE GAGGLE OF GEESE

A gaggle of geese are set to get top ‘bill’ this year. Since 2016, audiences of up to 8,000 people have awed and cooed when the 30 web-footed stars of the show waddle into view on the stage.

But it doesn’t happen by accident – a team of trainers work with the geese for weeks in advance, preparing the animals for their stage debut.

The geese, which help to tell the tale of England’s history and Britain’s reliance upon rearing livestock, are currently rehearsing every Tuesday evening, preparing to feature in both the Georgian Harvest scene and the finale.

Laurie said: “The volunteers are taught to understand the body language of the geese and how their own body language affects the geese and their movement. It’s funny to see the audience’s reaction to the geese. They really steal the scene, and you can’t help but smile when they’re on the stage. You never have the same day twice working with animals, and the geese are a joy to be around.”

The geese live on the Kynren site year-round and have a large house to call home, enjoying daily swims on the lake.