Barry Hines: Kes, Billy’s Last Stand & more

Synopsis

Three dramas by Barry Hines and an abridged reading of his classic Kes (A Kestrel for a Knave)Yorkshire-born author Barry Hines is renowned for his 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave (later turned into Ken Loach’s award-winning film Kes) and for scripting the BAFTA-winning BBC TV film Threads. The titles in this collection explore his signature theme – working-class life in Northern England – and include a trio of radio dramas alongside an abridged version of Kes, read by Stephen Tompkinson.Billy’s Last Stand – Casual labourer Billy makes his living shovelling coal into people’s sheds and cellars. It’s a one-man job: until the parasitic Darkly turns up, offering him a business partnership. Arthur Lowe and Ronald Baddiley star in Barry Hines’ darkly comic debut play.Two Men from Derby – Elbow-deep in domestic chores, miner’s wife Freda is visited by Joe and George, two scouts from Derby County FC who want to sign her husband as a professional footballer. But Dick is nowhere to be found… Regarded by Hines as the best thing he ever wrote, this slow-burn drama stars Sharon Duce, Colin Edwynn and Bernard Gallagher.Looking at the Sun – When redundant miner Stewart lands a job at a nuclear power station, he has high hopes for a new beginning. But his wife Lisa’s concerns about the plant put their marriage under increasing strain. Starring Chris Brailsford as Stewart and Gillian Waugh as Lisa.Kes – Neglected at home and bullied at school, Billy’s sole comfort is the wild bird of prey he has trained from a fledgling. But his newfound happiness is short-lived... Stephen Tompkinson reads this adaptation of Hines’ heartbreaking coming-of-age tale of a boy and his kestrel.Text copyright © Barry Hines 1965 (Billy’s Last Stand), 1968 (A Kestrel for a Knave), 1976 (Two Men from Derby), 1992 (Looking at the Sun)Production creditsWritten by Barry HinesBilly’s Last StandBilly – Arthur LoweDarkly – Ronald BaddileyTwo Men from DerbyFreda – Sharon DuceJoe – Colin EdwynnGeorge – Bernard GallagherWinnie – Juliet CookeStanley – Charles BoothLooking at the SunStewart – Chris BrailsfordLisa – Gillian WaughMr Ellis – Gerry KerseyClayton – Robin PolleyJanice – Belinda ChapmanMelanie Lee – Barbara DryhurstJapanese photographer – Fenella NormanSharland – Christopher KentMartyn – Peter BellColin – Nick SpurrKevin – Colln MeredithAlison – Caitlin SmithKesRead by Stephen Tompkinson© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd