Perth Theatre will soon be staging its own production of ‘Kes’, 50 years after Ken Loach’s 1969 film telling the story of a boy and his kestrel.
Kes is about a working-class lad called Billy Casper, whose future at aged just 15 is already mapped out for him.
He is bullied by his brother, ignored by his mother, picked on by his teachers and dodges and scrapes his way through his precarious life - until he steals and trains a kestrel chick.
The film has been adapted for the Perth stage by Robert Alan Evans and is being directed by Lu Kemp.
Lu Kemp, artistic director of Perth Theatre, said: “Many of our audience members will have vivid memories of seeing Ken Loach’s film of Kes for the first time.
“And, for those new to the story of a boy and his kestrel, this brilliant adaptation is both a joy in itself and may well lead them to discover both the novel and film.
“Like the film, this adaptation stays true to Barry Hines’s tender novel and we will be inviting audiences into the gritty world of 1960s working class Yorkshire.
“It’s a simple and heart-breaking story told with lots of humour and personality and I think audiences will enjoy this fresh perspective on a well-known tale.”
The cast features Danny Hughes, who was last seen in Perth Theatre making his professional debut in ‘The 306: Dusk’.
He will be joined by Matthew Barker, who has appeared extensively on the theatre stage and on television.
Perth Film Society will also be screening the original ‘Kes’ film in Perth Theatre’s Joan Knight Studio on Thursday, October 17, after which Lu Kemp will lead a post-show discussion with the audience to discuss their experience of the novel, film and stage adaptation.
‘Kes’ will be staged in the theatre’s Joan Knight Studio from Thursday, October 31 until Saturday, November 16.
Tickets cost £19, concessions £17, students and Young Scot cardholders £10 and arts workers £16 from the Horsecross Arts box office on 01738 621031 or www.horsecross.co.uk
