Kes

Wakefield Little Theatre have only recently joined District 13 in NODA North East, but their reputation precedes them and this play demonstrated the breadth of talent and creativity in the cast and Production Team.  The 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave was written by the Hoyland born author Barry Hines and made into the 1969 film, Kes, directed by Ken Loach.  The Academy Theatre is sited only a short distance from Hoyland.  Indeed, if Hines was inspired by a local bird of prey, it would have no doubt flown over the site where the theatre now stands.  Kes follows the story of Billy Casper, who comes from a single-parent working-class family and to whom school is a challenge, resulting in him becoming challenging.  He discovers a fledgling kestrel which he trains and even if for only a short period, Billy sees opportunities beyond the limitations of his background and community. 

From entering the theatre the effort that had been made to recreate the era was very impressive.  The walls were adorned with advertising posters and soundtracks from TV and radio adverts from the 60s and 70s were being played.  This really added to the atmospheric opening and the set which was visible was excellent as were the props used throughout the performance.

The play had been well cast with a strong contingent of young people and more experienced performers.  Everyone gave excellent performances with appropriate use of local accents.  Lisa Scott, as Billy’s mother, along with both actors performing as her sons had a very believable dynamic, so the extent to which Billy got in trouble was understandable.  Will Fealy was a mean and angry Jud, no doubt frustrated with his life and his poor home and work situation.  His pent-up anger overspilled beautifully in the final scenes leaving us in no doubt of the extent he would go to get him own back on Billy.

Mr Gryce was played by Chris Harrison, who totally embodied the strict Headmaster role and made the audience wince when he handed out corporal punishment.  This countered the empathetic performance given by Dan Pape, as the sympathetic and understanding Mr Farthing, a teacher keen to try to understand Billy.  The role of Mr Sugden was taken by Brian Glover in the film and so is well remembered by those who saw it.  Tom Daley did a wonderful job of bringing his own edge to this angry PE Teacher – I have no doubt he turned that shower to the coldest setting possible.

Excellent supporting performances from Faye Benning as Mrs Rose, Helen Grace as Mrs MacDowell & the Youth Employment Officer, Rozi Afferson as Mrs Crossley, Malcolm Trigg as the Farmer & the Milkman, Mon Haley as the Librarian.   Congratulations to Jason Thorpe making his stage debut as Mr Porter & Mr Beal – hoping you have been caught by the thrill of performing?

The young members of the cast did a brilliant job – Austin May (Delamore), Logan Fallas (Anderson), Kai Ingham (Tibbut), Jack Murrell (Gibbs), Ethan Pilling (Abbott), Grace Frain (Whitbread) and Isabella Wright-Steadman (Bennett) were confident in their roles and supported the building tension throughout the play -as well as finding the humour in interactions between pupils and teachers.  Insha Akhtar as MacDowall was a strong performer with well-paced delivery and very believable, unpleasant character traits.

Tommy Gossage as Billy Casper was excellent.  It’s challenging to find the balance between angry schoolboy, unloved sibling, frustrated teenager and, indeed, the bird-loving Knave of this tale.  Gossage did a great job demonstrating his compelling wonder at the way in which the bird soars and flies – just as he would, if allowed.  Gossage confidently found the anxiety in Casper and this came through perfectly along with his desperate sadness at his loss.  A great performance from this young actor.

Scene changes and moving of set were deftly handled by both cast and crew.  Technical elements of the play including sound and light were strong.

Well done to the Production Team.  It was a very entertaining and moving performance which I am sure struck a chord with all of the audience.

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