Kes

Synopsis

Up in the Yorkshire mining towns of 1960s Britain, a little hope was a dangerous thing. Social disintegration and disenchantment taught you to accept your lot; or else get the spirit kicked out of you. Yes, back then, life was certainly grim up North... Especially for our hero; streetwise school-kid Billy Casper. Emotionally neglected - bullied at school and at home - his is a pretty bleak existence; smoking, cadging money and getting into scraps...Until, that is, Kes comes along. Kes is a kestrel that Billy rears and trains; Kes is hope. Together, their friendship shines amid the gloom; but how long can it last...?

Our Review:

14 September 2004

Last year director Sarah Frankcom worked her magic on Little Voice by exploring hidden depths and enabling audiences to look beyond the film and previous stage productions. Lightning has certainly struck twice because this haunting adaptation of Barry Hines' A Kestrel For A Knave has the power to live on beyond a much loved book and classic British film.

Yorkshire lad Billy Casper has his life is mapped out for him. During his last year at school teachers continue to label him trouble, kids carry on picking on him, his brother Jud (William Beck) strives to be the man of the house and his mum does not give him the love that he longs for. What hope is there for him? A lifetime in the pits seems certain.

One morning Billy finds a kestrel. It opens up a whole new chapter of his life. Suddenly he has the potential that he has longed for. Even a teacher shows an interest in him. He becomes proud and much more confident. He tells people: "I traine...

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Latest User Review

217.34.49.74) - 13 October 2004:

Excellent acting, not a weak link in the cast, great adaptation of the book, perfect setting, if a little dangerous on the front row ;-). Just about the most moving, uplifting piece of theatre in a long time....

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