LEEDS Playhouse is flying into 2019 with a Yorkshire tale of boy and bird, and a national tale of family and heartbreak as Kes and random begin rehearsals.

Full of energy and life, actors Lucas Button and Jack Lord, who have just finished working together on the War Horse UK tour, are currently rehearsing for Kes, adapted for the stage by Robert Alan Evans from Barry Hines’ iconic novel A Kestrel for a Knave. Celebrating 50 years since the release of Ken Loach’s seminal film, the moving story of young Billy and his kestrel soars into the Pop-Up theatre from the end of January.

Also in rehearsal, Silent Witness and Hollyoaks star Kiza Deen takes on the beautifully crafted random, a heartbreakingly relevant one-woman play by award-winning playwright and screenwriter debbie tucker green (who spells her name in lower case). Following an ordinary family who find themselves caught up in catastrophe and grief, Kiza embodies four different characters in this detailed and brilliantly observed play, directed by the acclaimed Gbolahan Obisesan.

From February 4, both productions will play back-to-back in the Pop-Up theatre, giving audiences the opportunity to experience both of these extraordinary stories in one evening.

Kes plays in Leeds Playhouse’s Pop-Up theatre from January 25 to February 16, with random playing from February 4 to 16.

Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk