The classic story Kes takes flight from the Liverpool Playhouse before it soars across the country

The bittersweet story of one boy’s love for the kestrel he trains will be flying onto the stage of the Liverpool Playhouse ahead of a nationwide tour with an acclaimed cast and director and the help of local schools.

Lawrence Till’s adaptation of the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave will be presented by a cast including Daniel Casey, Katherine Dow Blyton and Oliver Farnworth.

Kes is directed by the celebrated Nikolai Foster. The story has also been made into an award-winning film; Kes directed by Ken Loach celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Four local schools will also be participating to recreate the atmosphere of Billy Casper’s 1960s classroom. Kes will run at the Liverpool Playhouse from Friday 18 September to Saturday 10 October before it tours the country with co-producers The Touring Consortium.

‘His life revolves around her, and when he is with her, his troubles disappear...’ Barnsley, 1968. Young bullied Billy's only comfort is with the kestrel he finds, nurtures and trains.As Billy's relationship with the soaring bird grows, so too does his spirit and he soon discovers a whole new world beyond his backyard.

A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines was an acclaimed novel at the time of it’s publication in 1968 and is still popular to this day as it remains a favoured GCSE text. The timeless story has won many fans through the novel, various adaptations and through the BAFTA award-winning 1969 film Kes from celebrated director Ken Loach.

Former Artistic Director of the Bolton Octagon and Watford Palace Theatre Lawrence Till has a long association with Barry Hines’ tale first creating an adaptation to be performed on stage by 120 school children whilst Education Director at Sheffield Theatres. As well as creating a musical version of the story he was asked by West Yorkshire Playhouse to write a new adaptation for their Quarry Theatre. First performed in 1999 this version is now performed around the country and around the world.

Taking the role of Billy Casper is Stefan Butler who comes to the Liverpool Playhouse from a UK tour of the David Essex musical All The Fun Of The Fair also directed by Nikolai Foster.

Playing his supportive English teacher Mr. Farthing is Daniel Casey who has performed at the Liverpool Playhouse in The Flint Street Nativity.

Mrs. Casper, Billy’s mum, is played by Katherine Dow Blyton and Jud, Billy’s brother, is played by Oliver Farnworth.

Also in the cast is David Crellin, Mike Burnside, Dominic Gately, Peter McGovern, Sue Vincent and Oliver Watton.

The four schools participating in Kes during the run at the Liverpool Playhouse in September and October are Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Childwall Sports College, Halewood Arts College and St John Bosco Arts College. The Touring Consortium will also be recruiting local schools to participate as the show tours the UK in October and November.

Comments about The classic story Kes takes flight from the Liverpool Playhouse before it soars across the country