Her Maj hosting Kelly musical

BUILT during Ned Kelly’s lifetime, Her Majesty’s Ballarat makes a particularly fitting venue to stage an operatic musical charting the life and times of Australia’s most notorious bandit.

The historic theatre is bracing to host Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical with Victorian Opera staging both an afternoon matinee and an evening performance tomorrow, Saturday 28 March.

Following its original seasons in Adelaide and Sydney in the late 1970s, this landmark musical is returning to the stage for the first time in 48 years, featuring a stellar cast of Australian musical theatre greats.

Directed by Stuart Maunder and conducted by Simon Holt, the new production is being presented exclusively at Her Maj as part of Victorian Opera’s ongoing commitment to the region.

“Victorian Opera’s production of Ned Kelly: The Musical this year is a labour of love for all concerned, as it surely was for those members of the original company when it premiered in Adelaide 48 years ago,” Livermore said ahead of the Ballarat date.

“The Ned Kelly saga has long fascinated me. When I first stumbled across the material in a bookshop during the early 1970’s, I had been immediately convinced the startling narrative was ideal for a stage adaptation – since I was appearing in one at the time, a musical was my projection.

“Now, I am excited once more, hoping the work will take its place amongst the long list of worthy but neglected Australian musicals.”

Fresh from Back to the Future: The Musical, rising star Ethan Jones plays Ned Kelly and is joined by celebrated stage veterans Maria Mercedes (Candide) as Ma Kelly and Robert Grubb (Sunset Boulevard) as Superintendent Hare.

Victorian Opera’s artistic director Maunder (Follies, The Pirates of Penzance, La Rondine) breathes fresh life into the work as director and is joined by conductor Holt (Cats, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard), who has contributed additional music and newly orchestrated this revised version of the score.

Ned Kelly’s name is etched into Australian folklore. The infamous bushranger, his gang, and that unmistakable suit of armour continue to ignite debate: Was he a champion of the underdog or just a cold-blooded criminal?

Livermore’s musical revival of Kelly’s famed and much-debated story ensures plenty of lively post show discussions are likely.