Eleven Arches, the production company behind the open-air spectacular Kynren, has announced that Kevin Whately will be part of the reimagined 2017 show. Kevin, who is best known for his roles in crime dramas Inspector Morse and spin-off Lewis and his role as Neville “Nev” Hope in the classic British television comedy Auf Wiedersehen Pet – has been brought on board to voice the character of ‘Old Arthur’.
Kevin, who was born in Hexham, Northumberland, will lend his distinctive dulcet North East tones to the role of Old Arthur – a key character who sets the scene for the epic journey through 2,000 years of British history, myth and legend. During the opening scene Old Arthur reveals the secret of time travel through the ‘Gatehouse of Time’ – one of the many jaw-dropping hydraulic sets that arises from depths of the stage’s full-size lake – and sets Young Arthur off on his quest for knowledge and discovery into the meaning of Kynren. Old Arthur appears in various key scenes throughout the show including; This is the Story of Us, The Miners’ Gala, “Their Finest Hour” and the Finale. Anne-Isabelle Daulon, Chief Kevin Whately in “Kynren”
Executive said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Kevin has agreed to be the voice of a central Kynren character. Working with an actor of Kevin’s profile and talent, who is from the North East himself, endorses Kynren as a world-class product of this region and anchors the production as celebration of the spirit of the North East, which in turn will help establish the region as a major draw for visitors from all over the country – indeed the world. Kevin visited the Kynren site in Bishop Auckland on Sunday 4th June during a full rehearsal, where he addressed the 1,500 strong Kynren cast and crew and injected an extra dash of inspiration ahead of the Première on Saturday 1st July. For more details and to book tickets visit the website www.kynren.co.uk.
