Kelly

Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly (December 1854 – 11^th November 1880) was an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police murderer. By far our most famous bushranger, he is best remembered for wearing a suit of bulletproof armour during his final shootout with police, which resulted in his capture. Originally interred in an unmarked grave, his remains were reburied in the cemetery at Greta, Victoria on 20^thJanuary 2013.

Kelly: national hero or national criminal? Whatever the answer, this dramatic three-hander is ‘food for thought’. A powerful piece about the last 24 hours of Kelly’s life, told in an uninterrupted 90 minute,s is Spotlight’s latest offering.

The title role is strongly portrayed by Brad Kendrick (usually seen in musicals). Brad never leaves the stage and his characterisation is constant the entire time. As his brother Dan (disguised as a priest) Mitch Walsh gives a compelling performance and is supported by Nathan French as the warder (and several others in flashbacks leading up to Ned’s capture).

Set within Kelly’s cell at Melbourne Goal, there is nothing glamorous about this production. The language is coarse and may be confronting to some but in the overall scheme of things is not to be unexpected under the circumstances. After all, Kelly was a police killer and was treated with all the disrespect the ‘system’ could apply.

Director Cilla Scott has chalked up many successes both at Spotlight and various venues around the coast and this is another feather in her cap.

An interesting telling of a slice of Australian history.

Roger McKenzie

Image: Vargo Studios