stage andrew garfield kes 2004 04
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STAGE – Kes 2004

Billy Casper (Andrew Garfield) struggles academically and is bullied by his former friend MacDowall at school and by his older brother Judd at home. When Billy was six years old, his father vanished, and his mother frequently leaves him alone when she is gone. Judd works at the nearby coal mine and Billy is supposed to follow in his footsteps when he graduates from high school, but he is determined not to.

When Billy finds a kestrel chick and learns how to raise and train it on his own with the help of a library book, he finds a true passion that allows him to escape the uninteresting reality of the rest of his life and realizes that he is not as useless as his teachers and family keep telling him he is.

After Barry Hines’ novel A Kestrel For A Knave

2004 manchester evening news newcomer 3

Reviews - What they say

"...impressive Exchange debut..."

"Young Andrew Garfield makes an impressive Exchange debut as the troubled Billy Casper, equally good at conveying the stoic acceptance of a miserable daily existence and the intimacy and exhilaration of his time with the kestrel hawk he loves."

Editor
Manchester Evening News

"... beautifully realised by Andrew Garfield..."

"...The pivotal role of young Billy Casper is beautifully realised by Andrew Garfield, making his Exchange debut. ..."

Editor
The Stage

photo credit: Rebecca Hurst, Jonathan Keenan

Date:
Play:
Kes
Role:
Billy Casper
Director:
Sarah Frankcom
Theater:
Royal Exchange Manchester
Cast:
Andrew Garfield, Jane Hazlegrove, William Beck
Run:
September 8, 2004 - October 16, 2004

Andrew Garfield

A site dedicated to actor Andrew Garfield