OBSERVER: Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly
Victorian Opera presents its upcoming revival of an iconic work of Australian theatre – Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical, being presented on Saturday, March 28 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat.
Following its original seasons in Adelaide and Sydney in the late 1970s, this landmark musical returns to the stage for the first time in 48 years, featuring a stellar cast of Australian musical-theatre performers.
Ned Kelly’s name is etched into Australian folklore. The infamous bushranger, his gang, and that unmistakable suit of armour continue to ignite a national debate: Was he a champion of the underdog or a cold-blooded criminal?
Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Stuart Maunder (Follies, The Pirates of Penzance, La Rondine) breathes fresh life into the work as director, joined by conductor Simon Holt (Cats, Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard), who has contributed additional music and newly orchestrated this revised version of the score. The creative team includes emerging designer Harry Gill, recipient of the 2026 Truscott Prize, who will design both set and costumes, Nicole Melloy (The Who’s Tommy) joins as choreographer, with Gavan Swift (Follies) as lighting designer and Samuel Moxham (The Pirates of Penzance) as sound designer.
Fresh from Back to the Future: The Musical, rising star Ethan Jones is Ned Kelly. He is joined by celebrated stage veterans Maria Mercedes (Candide) as Ma Kelly and Robert Grubb (Sunset Boulevard) as Superintendent Hare.
As members of the Kelly Gang, Jacob Steen (Follies) appears as Joe Byrne, alongside Darcy Wain and Luke London, recently in Victorian Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance, as Steve Hart and Dan Kelly. Chelsea Dawson (Six) performs as Ned’s sister Kate. Rohan Campbell (The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale) makes his Victorian Opera debut as Aaron Sherritt, the friend-turned-informant whose betrayal shaped the Kelly story.
Sally Bourne (Sister Act) stars as publican Mrs Jones, and Kiran Rajasingam (The Pirates of Penzance) appears as Judge Redmond Barry, who famously sentenced Kelly to death.
Victorian Opera’s current and former Opera Prize winners join the supporting cast, including Douglas Kelly as Sergeant Fitzpatrick and Edwin Living, Rachael Joyce as Ellen Sherritt, Bailey Montgomerie as Constable McIntyre, and Alessia Pintabona in the ensemble.
The ensemble also features Teddy Burgess, Declan Farr, Hanlon Innocent, Kristina McNamara and Connor Sweeney.
In a special cameo by the legend himself, Reg Livermore (Wicked, My Fair Lady, The Producers) returns to the world he created, appearing as Mr Tarleton, the Bank Manager.
On the season, Livermore notes: “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.’
Performance Date: March 28 at 2pm and 7.30pm
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat.
Bookings: victorianopera.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold