Bird's star turn

Falconry expert and kestrel visit cast members of Kes

The cast of SLY Theatre's production of Kes had a visit from Hampstead Norreys falconer Ray Prior and his kestrel at their rehearsals on Monday. Ray Prior is one of the leading falconers in the country, with a wide selection of beautiful birds for display. The kestrel is the bird of prey featured in Kes.

Kes is the well-loved story of a troubled schoolboy Billy Casper living in a poor mining village, who finds comfort in tending a kestrel hawk named Kes. The story has been adapted for the stage from Barry Hines' 1968 novel A Kestrel For a Knave, which was made famous by the 1969 Ken Loach film.

Under Ray's supervision, the cast had the opportunity handle the kestrel, see it flight and talk about the type of equipment used in training.

SLY Theatre perform Kes at New Greenham Arts on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Corn Exchange box office, telephone (01635) 522733.