Much-loved Bishop Auckland ice cream business and Victorian prams in new Kynren show
Rossi's ice cream parlour, a replica fire engine and genuine Victorian prams will take centre stage at the revamped outdoor show in Bishop Auckland, which returns with its latest spectacular next month.
The Rossi family, long-time volunteers at Kynren, have been honoured this season for their contribution.
An ice cream cart will bear the Rossi family name, paying homage to Mark Rossi's grandfather who started an ice cream business in Bishop Auckland in the 1920s.
Rossi's in 1981 as its demolition for road-widening became inevitable. This picture shows Bob Corkin, of Shildon, an "amateur photographer who takes pictures of buildings before they are demolished", according to the caption (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Mr Rossi said: "It's such a pleasure to be a part of the Kynren family – alongside my actual family.
"I have countless sketch books, drawings and designs of many of the show's props and seeing them come to life on stage is always amazing.
"I think we'll all be a bit emotional to see the Rossi name on stage as our very own ice cream cart is wheeled out this summer."
For 60 years, Rossi's was a favoured meeting place on Newgate Street for those who enjoyed coffee, ice cream and canoodling.
In the early 1980s, the café was demolished to enable South Church Road to be widened, and the business moved to the Market Place, where it continued until 1998.
The Rossi family outside their ice cream parlour in the former Waterloo Hotel in the 1920s (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
The blockbuster Kynren production is set to return to the Bishop Auckland venue for its tenth anniversary on Saturday, July 19, featuring a reimagined scene from Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Parade.
The new section will boast 311 props and costumes, 186 characters, and 18 horses, alongside the fire engine and prams.
These props have been sourced from across the country, including Spennymoor, and will transport audiences back to Victorian London as nannies push the prams along the stage.
A toddler tries out the Victoria pram (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Anna Warnecke, CEO at Kynren, said: "This new scene is more complex than anything we've done before, but that's what keeps everyone excited and engaged – our cast loves a challenge.
"And whilst the London setting will be instantly recognisable, we couldn't resist including parts of our local history and local people in the performance who have such a huge impact on what Kynren is."
The fire engine has been digitally rendered using one originally built in 1890 and found in County Durham's Beamish Living Museum.
Ms Warnecke added: "The new prop is modelled off the real fire engine named 'Nelson' which was dedicated to Bishop Auckland's GP as a retirement gift in recognition of his service to the area and now lives at Beamish.
"We're delighted to feature this part of Bishop Auckland's history in Kynren and it was wonderful to work with Beamish Living Museum on this project, shining a light on this fascinating piece of local heritage."
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The 3,000 props which feature throughout the show help to tell the country's 2,000-year-old tale.
The 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, July 19 and runs until Saturday, September 13, offering audiences a journey through 2,000 years of British history, myth, and legend.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.kynren.com.
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