Exotic and endangered birds have found a new home at The Lost Feather, a new show at the Kynren site in County Durham, which opened in July. Curators hope the birds will contribute to conservation efforts for their wild counterparts.
The show's inception began when customs officers at Heathrow intercepted an illegal shipment of pink-breasted cockatoos. Jimmy Robinson, who was involved in establishing the Kynren site, provided a new home for these birds, alongside an "impending parliament of owls and pandemonium of parrots."
Robinson and his team dedicated three years to planning and developing The Lost Feather. This avian-focused performance is one of five new shows launched at Kynren this summer. While other shows at the site explore themes such as Vikings, Victorians, and folklore, and the main evening spectacle, "An Epic Tale of England," covers a broad sweep of history, The Lost Feather is specifically dedicated to birds.
The initiative aims to draw attention to the plight of various bird species. Among the birds featured are pink-crested cockatoos, also known as galahs, and large birds of prey such as eagles.
Kynren, which began in 2016, is a live action show that aims to tell the story of England through a series of performances. The addition of The Lost Feather broadens the scope of the attractions offered at the site.