Billy Casper is 15 years old. Bullied at school and unhappy at home, he doesn’t fit in.

But when Billy comes across a wild kestrel and realises he can train her, he discovers a new life above the small Northern mining town in which he lives. Together they learn to fly and Billy finds friendship and hope – until one snap decision and an unplaced bet change things forever.

Kes is the story of Billy’s heart. How it came to beat and how it came to break.

Press for Kes

It’s a beautiful piece of theatre. Subtle, engaging and deeply touching…This is the Jack team doing what they do best and once again producing a diamond. The cast are equally brilliant… This is a real treat. Heartfelt and elegant, it is yet further proof that the Brockley Jack is one of the best theatres in London. ★★★★★ Spy in the Stalls

in director Kate Bannister’s expert hands, this play is a mini-masterpiece. Simon Stallard is phenomenal as Billy… Rob Pomfret gives an astonishing performance… a pair of simply brilliant performances. Get a ticket while you can.  Kes is a lovingly crafted production that is hard-hitting, hopeful and will make your heart soar. ★★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions

Kate Bannister, for the Brockley Jack, has done a fantastic job with this production of Kes. Karl Swinyard’s set is ingenious. The lighting design and sound of Ben Jacobs and Jack Barton are spot on.  It really is a wonderful evening… the acting is exemplary as is the direction. The Brockley Jack can be enormously proud of this production. ★★★★★ London Pub Theatres

this production was absolutely spot on from start to finish. There was not a single aspect of Kes that didn’t work and the entire production captured the essence of the original and transferred it to the stage in an excellent and very realistic manner… at the end of seventy minutes my first thought was that I had seen a great show. ★★★★★ London Theatre1

This beautifully crafted adaptation of Barry Hines’ novel by Robert Alan Evans gets a terrific production by director Kate Bannister played out against a superb background of sound… This is as good as it gets in the theatre anywhere – a fringe triumph in every sense. ★★★★★ Reviewsgate

This is a show that takes the audience through the full gamut of human emotion, and boy, does it take flight. An incredibly watchable production. ★★★★ Lastminute Theatre Tickets

The theatre’s latest in-house production is, in fact, something of a masterclass in every sense: performance, design and direction all come together to tell a great story really, really well. 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Barry Hines’ novel, and I can think of no better way to mark the occasion than with this exquisite production. Theatre Things

Talented sound designer Jack Barton provides the intricate sound effects of a swinging lure and the swooping bird as a haunting auditory metonymy for Kes whilst Karl Swinyard’s set hints at Billy’s enclosed world… compelling and always atmospheric. British Theatre Guide

We pleased to announce that KES has received four Off West Nominations: Best Male Performance (Simon Stallard and Rob Pomfret), Best Director (Kate Bannister), and Best Production.