North West Theatre

Kes

Buy tickets

Lawrence Till, adapted from the novel by Barry Hines
03 Sep 10 to 25 Sep 10
Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Bullied at school and abused at home, Billy, a Yorkshire school boy is neglected and misunderstood. Failed by society and detached from the world around him Billy finds solace in the unlikely source of a chick kestrel, Kes.

Nurturing Kes provides an escape from the mundane reality of life and allows Billy to discover his true identity. As the relationship grows so does Billy’s spirit and he soon uncovers a whole new world; a peace and purpose to life which others around him cannot begin to understand. But will his happiness last?

Open auditions for Kes at Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum is holding open auditions for young performers for its production of Kes, adapted by Lawrence Till from the novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines, which will be produced by the Coliseum in September as part of its so far unreleased autumn and winter season.
British Theatre Guide

Adam Barlow On...Kes

Bolton born actor Adam Barlow is no stranger to the Oldham Coliseum, as he performed there recently in an adaptation of William Woodruff's The Road To Nab End. Next month he returns to the venue to star as Billy Casper in Kes.
What's On Stage

Preview: Kes - Oldham Coliseum

Taking flight at the Oldham Coliseum, and opening their new autumn/winter season, is their version of Lawrence Till’s adaptation of the modern classic Kes.
City Life

Fantastically acted... Adam Barlow really captures Billy’s somewhat miserable existence... Jake Norton’s Jud is dark, menacing and intimidating... An incredibly hardworking set designed by Foxton is put to great use... a thoroughly entertaining staging...
What's On Stage (Rating: 4/5)
I challenge any production to match the quality of the new presentation currently playing at the Coliseum... Adam Barlow... is phenomenal as Billy. Barlow’s range of emotion and his complex characterisation gives Billy a humanity and realism... Paul Barnhill puts in a lovely and warm performance... Jake Norton is a suitably vicious and vindictive Jud... Meriel Scholfield plays Billy’s disinterested mother Mrs Casper with an evenly judged sense of selfishness and responsibility... Director Kevin Shaw does a stunning job of filling the stage with local young people whose professionalism and contribution to the overall performance is to be commended... a superb night in the theatre, a real reminder of what good theatre can be...
The Public Reviews (Rating: 5/5)
Adam Barlow... is no less assured and original in the even more challenging role... a play teeming with incident and character, humour and pathos, brought vividly to life by a formidable ensemble of actors and a 24-strong troupe of genuine school pupils. It is quite a tour de force for director Kevin Shaw to get them all on the crowded set - beautifully crafted by Foxton - let alone to choreograph so many gritty performances.
The Stage
...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... Adam Barlow... provides a thoughtful and convincing portrait of a struggling teenager trying to cope with domestic hell and public humiliation... Paul Barnhill... Ged McKenna... and Jake Norton... are excellent support... Renny Krupinski has coached several scraps that look painfully real.
City Life (Rating: 4/5)