CityLife

Kes

Kes
Oldham Coliseum
September 3, 2010

It’s certainly grim oop north for young Billy Casper. Living in the Yorkshire of the 1960s, where coal is still being mined and goin’ down t’ pit is one of the few career options, poor Billy is neglected (by his sluttish mother), misunderstood (at school by pupils and teachers) and bullied (in particular by his elder brother).

Closely based on Barry Hines’ classic 1968 novel A Kestrel For A Knave – adapted for the stage by Shameless producer/director Lawrence Till – the story of a sensitive boy at odds with the world, and finding his escape and redemption by training a young kestrel, still moves and inspires.

The 1969 film is also a classic in its own right but with a film there’s no problem showing a bird soaring through the sky. So, most people choosing to visit the Coliseum for this production might be wondering if they’ll need to duck as a kestrel zooms overhead.

Well, of course they won’t because the adaption gets around the problem the only way it can, by not showing the bird at all. However, sound designer Lorna Munden manages to convince that a bird is on the loose around the auditorium and the actors do their bit too.

Kevin Shaw’s admirable production boasts a professional cast of 10 plus 24 youngsters as schoolchildren and some of the best scenes are those when everyone is on stage together, in the riotous morning assembly in particular.

As young Billy, Adam Barlow holds centre stage practically throughout and provides a thoughtful and convincing portrait of a struggling teenager trying to cope with domestic hell and public humiliation by pouring his enthusiasm into the training of a thing even more wild than himself.

Paul Barnhill, as the teacher who helps; Ged McKenna, as the old-school head and Jake Norton as the brutal brother are excellent support.

There are a couple of notable cameos also from the non-pro supporting cast, particularly from a ginger-haired lad who I can’t identify from the programme information.

Foxton provides a multi-level composite set of interiors and exteriors, backed by a pit winding wheel, and fight expert Renny Krupinski has coached several scraps that look painfully real.

Until September 25, 2010.

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