Kelly

Matthew Ryan

• Publisher: Currency Press
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781925004427
• Topic: Littérature
• Subtopic: Théâtre

Ned Kelly is about to hang for his crimes. But his final night in prison is interrupted by the arrival of his brother Dan, disguised as a priest. Supposedly killed at the Siege of Glenrowan, Dan is intent on moving north to Queensland and forgetting his past. To do so, he needs Ned's blessing and forgiveness. But the last time they saw each other, Dan tried to shoot Ned dead.So begins a brutal confrontation by two titans of Australian history. Facing the sins of their past, each blames the other for their downfall. And neither will escape unharmed.Dramatically entwining fact, theory and myth, Kelly is a smartly written, complex and gripping tale of masculinity, brotherhood and the dangerous dynamic of mateship.

Production Photos

Leon Cain as Dan and Steven Rooke as Ned in the 2012 Queensland Theatre Company production. (Photo: Rob MacColl.)

Leon Cain as Dan and Steve Rooke as Ned in the 2012 Queensland Theatre Company production. (Photo: Rob MacColl.)

Hugh Parker as the Guard and Steven Rooke as Ned Kelly in the 2012 Queensland Theatre Company production. (Photo: Rob MacColl.)

NED KELLY in his gaol cell, hands cuffed and chained together.

A GUARD enters.

NED: Fuck, you’re an ugly bastard.

GUARD: You have a visitor.

NED: Not in a general sense either. It’s a very specific lack of appeal you suffer from. It’s your eyes. You have pig’s eyes. Has anyone ever told you that? They’re bastards if they haven’t. Man deserves to know if he resembles a pig. How are you supposed to know? Can’t look at yourself. Not with any objectivity on the matter.

GUARD: Do you want your visitor or not?

NED: Who is it?

GUARD: A priest.

NED: Christ. Are there any left in the whole of Melbourne?

GUARD: This one says he knows you.

NED: Haven’t they all said the same thing?

GUARD: I’ll tell him no then?

NED: Did you give them my letter?

GUARD: Yes. I did.

NED: And?

GUARD: And they agreed. Said fair was fair.

NED: My mother?

GUARD: Released.

NED: She’s free?

GUARD: Staying with your family. In some big fancy hotel.

NED: My funeral?

GUARD: Agreed to that to.

NED: A cemetery? Consecrated ground I asked for.

GUARD: Oh, yes. Headstone. Whole works.

NED: Right. Right then.

NED laughs to himself, satisfied.

GUARD: Kelly. I’m lying. [Laughing] They’re not letting that mad bitch out of gaol.

NED advances on the GUARD. The GUARD draws his truncheon.

NED stops.

You go right ahead, Kelly. You just keep walking straight towards me.

NED: Would you do well, I wonder? Better than the other ones at least? Because they didn’t do very well at all.

GUARD: Heard they picked a nice spot for your body. Out in the yard. Where the boys take their shit. Heard they want to bury you with your mouth open. Face up, nice and grateful like, for when it makes its way down to you.

NED: Is that right?

GUARD: Yeah, that’s right.

NED: Well, at least I’m handsome. Unlike yourself, who’s so ugly the loneliest dog in the world wouldn’t fuck your face.

The GUARD laughs. NED joins him.

GUARD: That’s pretty funny.

NED: Thank you.

GUARD: Wonder if you’ll be so funny tomorrow. Can’t wait to see it myself. Got a nice little spot all picked out.

NED: Tell me where and I’ll give you a little wave. That’ll be me being funny.

GUARD: Be hard to see me. Quite the crowd coming apparently.

NED: Well, I am very well known.

GUARD: They’re coming to see you get what you deserve.

NED: Deserve? Read the newspaper. I’m a national fucking hero.

GUARD: I thought heroes got medals.

NED: It’s a matter of great contention.

GUARD: What about Fitzpatrick? You a hero to him? The man you shot in your own home? Or Stringybark Creek? Coppers you killed in cold blood?

NED: Don’t recall my blood being all that cold.

GUARD: What about Glenrowan? A few died there. Your whole gang if I recall. Your own brother. Burnt to a crisp, wasn’t he? You a hero to him?

NED takes out a scrap of newspaper and rea...