Kelly

The details of the last days and hours of Ned Kelly's (Subra Velayutham) battles with local authorities and his own conscience are fully explored in this intricate play. The text cleverly exploits the rumours that Dan Kelly (Sean Paisley Collins) did, in fact, survive the last stand at Glenrowan. It imagines a clandestine encounter between the two brothers shortly before Ned's execution. Dan, supposedly disguised as an Irish priest, seeks to reconcile with his brother.

During the encounter they relive many of the contentious battles conducted as the notorious Kelly gang. Here their recollections are infused with a great deal of recorded history and this lends considerable weight to the authenticity of their meeting. Dan's many unresolved issues about the pain and anguish that the Kelly gang inflicted on the local community delves into many of the debates about Ned's position as a national hero.

In this production Ned is envisioned as unconflicted and resolute in his cause. The power and intensity of Velayutham’s performance makes this explicit. However, Dan acts as a nagging conscience with some significant doubts about the motivations for their actions. As they relive the many episodes their memories favour Ned's perspective on the events. These events are portrayed imaginatively and with excitement and action, although sometimes the reconstructions can be too literal or laboured. Dan is not portrayed as spineless but as very troubled by the skeletons in his closet, including his homosexuality. Paisley Collins manages the range and depth of these emotions in an expert manner and this enables the audience to really experience his profound ambivalence.

The production brings these stories to life with an astute combination of realism and fantastical scenery and props. The set design incorporates some fascinating projections and theatre masks to help conjure up the various historical figures and locations. Nicola Pohl demonstrates incredible versatility in stepping into the shoes of many of these vivacious characters. Her portrayal of the viciousness of the prison guard is particularly acute.

This is a dense but fascinating performance that produces an almost forensic examination of some important national myths surrounding Australian history and notions of masculinity.

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Darren Gill