Kes (Manchester)

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 trained her”,
proudly talking about his beloved bird, Kes.

Andrew Garfield gives a powerhouse performance as the gangly, neglected
kid that people look right through. He provides the character with a face
and voice beyond his dirty face and scraggy clothes. Beck is the angry
young man who tries to assert his masculinity in the only way that he knows
how – by lashing out at all around him. His is a frighteningly real
performance. Jane Hazelgrove holds back every emotion as the lonely mother
who lives for Saturday nights and the company of men. Roger Morlidge
provides Billy with a sympathetic ear and a glimmer of hope as Mr Farthing
his teacher. Their scenes together are incredibly touching.

Lawrence Till‘s adaptation retains the hard edge of the book but also
manages to brings fresh ideas to the text. The final scene featuring Billy
living out the perfect fantasy provide him with an escape route.

Peter Rice‘s evocative sound is both stirring and unsettling. We really do
see Billy’s bird, as the sound effects compliment the actors’ sterling work.
Frankcom clearly loves the original book. She stages this piece
beautifully and as a result the audience on the night attended were moved
beyond belief. Take flight with Kes – it will leave your spirits soaring
long after the final curtain.

– Glenn Meads