IT looks like the Norse god Woden still has some clout.

The rain which had dominated the day stopped, the sky cleared and the evening sun shone on the first night of the outdoor Tynemouth Pageant.

Woden’s Day 547: Battle for Northumbria tells the tale of the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons on the North East coast and their reception by the local Brits, which eventually leads to the founding of the kingdom of Bernicia.

There could not be a more apt setting for such a story than the ruins of Tynemouth Priory and Castle on its headland overlooking the sea and the mouth of the Tyne.

It was the site of a 7th Century monastery, is the supposed burial place of three kings and is also believed to have suffered from Viking raiders.

This enthusiastic production marks the 20th anniversary of the Tynemouth Pageant, which stages a big show every three years.

Rehearsals began in February for Woden’s Day, written by Lesley Turner, directed by Bob Webb, produced by Roger Burgess and with Mike and Penny Green as musical directors, leading a committed cast spanning all ages.

Woden shares the stage with his ravens, the Anglo-Saxon King Ida and the Hadrian’s Wall goddess Coventina and her nymphs.

They all add to a community production delivered with confidence and gusto after a lot of hard work over the preceding months.

The setting sun was right on cue, providing the perfect golden lighting for the walls of the 73ft high presbytery, and there was even a rainbow a little later.

Woden’s work again?

Tonight is the last performance , starting at 7.30pm, and admission is £8 on the door (£6 concessions).

Go on, turn off that tedious TV and try something different. They were even selling mead during the interval.