THERE was a surprise for the cast of Kes at Dearne Playhouse on Saturday night when the actor who starred in the film stepped on stage and said he might stage his own production at the theatre.
David (known as Dai) Bradley, who played Billy Casper in the 1969 film, had never seen Kes performed in the theatre and only revealed his presence at the end, to the amazement of everyone.
“It was a secret which I was only told about the night before and some of the cast were really shocked,” said Vicky Evans, who directed the production for Far Out Theatre.
“It made me feel very nervous because he was watching the show from the balcony. He came up on stage at the end to congratulate the cast and crew and especially praised Oliver Burkill who played Billy Casper.
“He told us that Kes opened the door to many opportunities for him, as I’m sure it will for Oliver.” Far Out Theatre held many auditions to find the perfect Billy Casper and believe they found him in Oliver Burkill, 12, who displayed the rawness needed for the role.
Dearne Playhouse Trustee John Gilliver was impressed by David Bradley.
“Apparently he is over here for three months to visit his family,” he said.
“He is a very modest and shy man, unassuming and didn’t want to talk much about himself, but he did tell us that he might put a production on at the Playhouse.”
The company will present the play at Montgomery Hall, Wath-upon-Dearne from May 17-19 and David has promised to be there. He has some memorabilia left over from the film which he will sign and put up for sale.
“My aim now is to sell as many tickets for the production at Montgomery Hall as one of our aims is to keep it open,” said Vicky.
Far Out Theatre is based at Montgomery Hall, which is in financial straits due to public funding expiring in August, and has struck a 50/50 deal on ticket sales with Wath-upon-Dearne Community Partnership, the hall trustees.
The Ken Loach film was based on the Barry Hines book A Kestrel for a Knave, and caused a cinema sensation when it was released. It was filmed at St Helen’s school, Barnsley and starred Brian Glover and other notables including Colin Welland, and Lynne Perrie, as well as Grimethorpe actor Freddie Fletcher as Jud Casper.
