A NEW Kes play is coming to the stage in Scotland 50 years after Ken Loach’s iconic film of Barry Hine’s novel was released.

The play will run in Perth Theatre’s Joan Knight Studio from Thursday October 31 until Saturday November 16.

Actor Danny Hughes, who stars as Billy Casper in the upcoming production, got up close and personal with some birds of prey in preparation for his role as a 15-year-old boy who teaches himself to train a wild bird.

With help from Barry Blyther of Elite Falconry in Fife, Danny, and Kes director Lu Kemp also learnt to swing the lure, a swung cotton line with a baited lure attached that motivates birds to fly during training.

Kemp said: “It’s helped me understand the work this lonely boy puts in, and the feat he achieves.”