At the theatre
Isobel MacCallum
THE new Australian play, Kelly, written by young Queensland playwright Matthew Ryan, was produced by QTC for its 2012 main stage season.
Intimate and compact in design, yet a theatrically ambitious drama, which is both contemporary and accessible as it wrestles with themes surrounding one of our country’s greatest historic icons.
Without walls and raked - this award-winning set by Simone Romaniuk, is a simple minimalist metal gaol cell that seemingly floats in space - beautifully lit by Ben Hughes with a haunting and powerful sound design and composition by Guy Webster.
Ned Kelly sits in his prison cell.
Tomorrow he is going to hang.
A wounded beast in a cage, defiant till the end.
A priest enters to give him his last rites and it is revealed to be Dan Kelly - Ned's younger brother believed burnt to death at Glenrowan.
Dan is desperate and needs one last thing from his older brother and Ned stands firmly against him.
History tells us that Dan and Ned never saw eye to eye and there is also myth that Dan escaped the fire and disappeared to Queensland.
This makes for a brilliantly charged premise, explored beautifully on stage in 80 gripping minutes, weaving Kelly fact, theory and myth while exploring masculinity, brotherhood and the dangerous dynamic of mateship.
Kelly boasts a brilliant cast of three of Brisbane’s finest actors - led by the Matilda Award winning Steven Rooke who plays Ned Kelly in a powerhouse performance with humour, heart and depth.
The performance is on Wednesday, June 10 at 7.30pm, organise tickets either online at www.civictheatre.com.au or at the theatre.
Free workshops
THE day before the performance of Kelly there will be two free workshops presented by the cast; Exploring the Legend is aimed at senior high school and university students, and a second workshop called Playing An Icon is aimed at theatre goers, theatre makers, actors and interested members of the public.
Workshop participation is not limited to ticket holders but numbers are limited, if you’re interested in attending contact the box office on 6926 9688 or boxoffice@civictheatre.com.au.
