The legendary tale of Ned Kelly springs into life in this exhilarating new Australian Musical by composer Adam Lyon (King Kong - Global Creatures), directed by Gary Young (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon – Cameron MacKintosh Australia). 

The creative team behind this production is made up of professional artists, many of whom grew up in Central Victoria and have gone on to be successful in their chosen careers. NED has its feet firmly entrenched in country Victoria and has chosen the opening of the new Ulumbarra Theatre, ironically built inside the walls of the historic Sandhurst Gaol, as its launching place. 

The iconic Kelly armour is instantly recognisable, but barely hints at the astonishing series of events that came to pass in North East Victoria in the late 1800s, forever shaping our idea of Australian history. 

NED tells the story of an ordinary boy, born into poverty in country Victoria in an ordinary Irish immigrant family. The son of a convict, Ned sees how his family is treated and learns to never trust a man in uniform. He sees how the selectors are at the mercy of the squatters. And he sees how hard his mother works to keep his
family together. When his father dies, Ned becomes the man of the house at 12 years old. His first arrest is at 14. By 16 he is serving time in Pentridge for receiving a stolen horse. His life is shaping up to be one full of petty misdemeanors, theft and scuffles with authority. 

Ned’s life takes a catastrophic turn when his mother Ellen is falsely accused of attempted murder of a police officer. Ned takes to the bush with his brother Dan, and friends Steve and Joe, with plans to avenge this injustice. The boys are pursued fervently by the police. When they finally come upon each other, three policemen are killed one fateful night at Stringybark Creek. Suddenly our Ned has killed a man. Men.
Police officers, no less. Yet rather than being condemned, his legend begins to grow.
NED shows us how this man was made. His family. His friends. The events that shaped him. It shows us why we should care about a criminal from a century long past. It shows us why we celebrate him. It lets us see ourselves in his struggle.

A stunning cast of actors and singers have been brought together to bring this World
Premiere production to life, in co-operation with the Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo. With
hauntingly beautiful melodies, raucous humour and a driving orchestral score that captures the sound of the Australian bush, NED will leave you humming while you ponder what it means to be Australian.

Click here to purchase your tickets now. 

In addition to the musical, there are other supporting programs and events about Ned, including Imagining Ned, an exhibition presented by Bendigo Art Gallery. It features the story of Ned Kelly and looks at the arts he inspires. It is open until 28 June.

Click here to read more about Festival of Ned.