Octagon Theatre cast for Kes visit Wild Wings Bird of Prey Centre

Jake Dunn, who plays Billy Casper in the critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama, along with the cast visited the Wild Wings Bird of Prey Centre.

In the play, Billy finds the true meaning of friendship when training a young kestrel chick.

The cast got up close and personal to meet Cloud the kestrel hawk for added inspiration.

Jake said: “Seeing these beautiful and graceful birds was a truly rewarding experience and gave me a greater connection to the character of Billy Casper.

“The stage production lets audiences visualise Kes through the beauty of the performance and the theatrical effects created with lighting and music, so for us to see first-hand how they move and interact will build an even greater realism of Kes for the audiences.”

First released as a novel in 1968, it was then adapted for the big screen in Ken Loach’s acclaimed drama the following year.

Award-winning theatre director, Atri Banerjee, with Cloud and Harry Egan

Set in a 1960s working-class Yorkshire mining town, Kes depicts the struggles of 15-year-old Billy Casper. Bullied and neglected, life isn’t easy for Billy, but when he finds Kes – a kestrel hawk who he cares for and trains, it gives Billy a passion and freedom that has been missing throughout his life.

This uplifting story about survival in a tough world opens at the Octagon on Thursday and runs until April 2.

Nishla Smith and Cloud

It is directed by award-winning theatre director and one of The Stage’s 25 Theatremakers to watch in 2022, Atri Banerjee.

Tickets start from £15 at the Octagon and on sale in both venues.
Find out more and book tickets via the Octagon Box Office on 01204 520661 or at octagonbolton.co.uk