Ned Kelly - in film, plays, radio and TV 1879+

Ned Kelly (1970), Japanese movie poster.

1. Introduction

The story of Ned Kelly (1854-1880) and his gang of Australian bushrangers is known world-wide, due in no small part to the fact that the world's first full-length feature film was the Millard Johnson and W. A. Gibson produced The Story of the Kelly Gang which premiered in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia, on Boxing Day, 26 December 1906, and was subsequently re-released with additional footage in 1907 and 1910. The international recognition is also due, in part, to the 1970 film starring The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, and another featuring the late Australian actor Heath Ledger released in 2003. Prior to that, Ned Kelly and his gang featured in a number of plays, presented in the theatres and halls of Australia and New Zealand from 1880, increasing in number and notoriety following the hanging of Ned Kelly, the last surviving member of the gang, at the Melbourne gaol on 11 November of that year. The chronological listing below notes some of those dramatic presentations in film, theatre, radio and television. The majority are factual, dramatic accounts, though there are also semi-fictional and comedic adaptations of the true story of the Kelly gang, based on incidents which occurred between 1871-1880. The following theatre plays and sketches produced prior to the appearance of The Story of the Kelly Gang are noted:

1879 - Catching the Kellys (Melbourne) - Joseph Pickersgill - short comedic sketch
1879 - Bail Up! or, An Hour with Ned Kelly (Wellington, NZ) - sketch
1880 - The Capture of the Kelly Gang (Sydney) - play - cancelled due to police intervention
1880 - Retribution; or, The Last of the Kellys (Wellington) - J. J. Utting
1880 - The Kellys (Invercargill, NZ) - J. T. M. Hornsby
1880 - Catching the Kellys (Auckland, NZ) - Unknown
1881 - The Kelly Gang, Ostracised! (Melbourne) - E. C. Martin
1882 - Ostracised! or, the Downfall of Crime (Sydney) - J. J. Utting. Different to his 1880 play
1893 - Ransom (Melbourne) - Dan Barry Dramatic Company
1896 - The Kelly Gang (Victoria) - Reg Rede / producer Dan Barry / based on the Utting 1880 play. Tours Australia constantly through to 1906.
1898 - The Australian Bushrangers (New South Wales) - E. I. Cole's Bohemian Dramatic Company
1899 - The Kelly Gang (Queensland) - John Henry Greene
1899 - Ned Kelly, Outlaw (Sydney) - Launcelot Booth
1899 - The Kelly Gang: or, the career of the outlaw Ned Kelly, the Ironclad Hero of Australia Adelaide) - Arnold Denham
1900 - Hands Up! or, Ned Kelly and His Gang (New South Wales, Queensland) - E. I. Cole. Tours eastern Australia through to 1906.
1902 - Ned Kelly, the Bushranger (London) - Bernard Espinasse and Harry Leader

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2. Chronology

1879

* Tuesday, 2 April 1879 - Catching the Kellys - a comedic, semi-fictional, farcical play by Joseph Pickersgill, critical of the police and condemed at the time as such. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. This was not the first true account of the story of the Kelly Gang.

* 20 September 1879 - Bail Up! or, An Hour with Ned Kelly, Theatre Royal, Wellington, New Zealand. A humourous dialogue sketch.

* 27 September 1879 - Mantilini's Waxwork Exhibition includes a Ned Kelly figure, Thames Advertiser, New Zealand.

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1880

* 5 July 1880 - The Capture of the Kelly Gang - a sensational drama in 3 acts play is banned from performance at the Queen's Theatre, Sydney, on this night by the police and Colonial Secretary.

* 1 July 1880 - Southland Times, New Zealand. A realistic drama play in four acts by J. T. Marryat Hornsby.

* 5 July 1880, Southland Times, Invercargill, New Zealand.

A Theatrical Outrage.

To The Editor. Sir, — In your issue of Thursday last appears a paragraph headed as above, in which you deplore the fact of a drama ' being presented to the public, which has . for its title the name of a notorious gang of outlaws, who for a period of about four teen months baffled ever}' attempt made by the police to capture them. You assume that the drama will have a demoralysing effect upon the youth of this town and its -surroundings. How know you that? Have you any proof for making such an assertion; or nave you the remotest idea of what the plot of the play in question is like ? You make a most unjustifiable attack upon the character of the party or parties who purpose producing the play without the slightest knowledge of the "good, bad, or indifferent" character of the said drama. You will excuse me, Sir, but it is my thought that you would have shown a much better spirit — certainly more commendable — had! you followed the rule which obtains in all cases where a local man writes a play. That rule, Sir, is that the M.S. is submitted to the chiefs of the journals published in the place and, prior to its production, they give their Candid opinion of its merits. Had you waited until this had been done, and then spoken, it would have been more in keeping with a desire that every man should possess to do right by his neighbor. You have not seen my M.S., and I defy you or any other man to say what particular line I have followed in this proposed play. You have laid charges at my door that neither you nor any other journalist in Christendom has any right to make, charges which you cannot substantiate. You have hazarded an opinion, an opinion that if I mistake not, will be scouted by everyone who may witness the play of "The Kellys" as I propose to produce it; an opinion that in all honesty and fairness, you should have been shamed to chronicle, as you were perfectly ignorant of my intention, when the paragraph was written. In a day or two I propose forwarding to you and to the chief of the News a copy of the play. Then, Sir, you may speak as you like, and none can say you nay. You will then be able to say what you know, and any further blundering on your part will be impossible. I shall submit my play to the public and stand or fall by their decision, while at the same time I hurl back the false statements you have made and tell you that until the amende honorable is made by you that you have laid yourself open to the imputation of attempting to injure, in a malicious manner, one who is totally undeserving of such treatment. — I am, &c. The Author, Invercargill, July 2nd, 1880.

* 10 July, Southland Times, New Zealand.

"The Kellys” is the title of a piece (the work of a local author of some fame - Mr J. T. M. Hornsby - to be produced at Sloan’s Theatre, Invercargill, on the 27th inst. Should sufficient inducement offer, a special train will he run to Invercargill, to give the Riverton public an opportunity of witnessing the play.

* 10 July 1880, Western Star, New Zealand. The Kellys, Sloan's Theatre, Invercargill.

* 17 July 1880, New Zealand Times, Wellington. Retribution - or, The Last of the Kellys - a New Zealand dramatic play in three acts is produced by journalist and playwright J. J. Utting (1842-1925). This a different play to that presented in Invercargill on 27 July by J. T. Marryat Hornsby. This was claimed, in 1903, to be the first such theatre production on the subject of the Kelly gang, and it formed the basis for a number of later adaptations. Utting was born in England but worked as a journalist in New Zealand between 1865-1881, after which he moved to Australia. He was the anonymous author of the play, and later claimed to be ashamed of it.

* 21 July 1880, Wanganui Times, New Zealand.

The Kellys - The, Grand Spectacular and Idealistic Drama of "The Kellys" will shortly be produced at Invercargill. "This play," says the Theatre lessees, "will be presented to the public with all the distinctness of reality, by a cast of over 30 characters. Every scene will be a splendid view of the actual place where the stirring incidents connected with the Kellys' lives occurred. Mdle. Morielle, in the thrilling character of Kate Kelly." It is to be hoped that she may play to empty benches. A piece of the same sort has been stopped in Sydney by the action of the police.

* 27 July 1880 - The Kellys opens to a crowded house at Sloan's Theatre, Invercargill.

* 9 August 1880 - Lyttelton Times, New Zealand. The Steele-Reynolds Company present Catching the Kellys at Auckland.

* 23 August 1880 - Lyttelton Times, New Zealand.

Dramatic News.

The Byronic Comedy Company did not make a long stay in Timaru, having closed their season on August 11. On the last night of their term The Kellys was played to - as might be expected - the rowdiest audience ever assembled in the town. This is what the “Herald" says: “Truth compels us to say that a rowdier audience never assembled in the old theatre, and from first to last the conduct of the majority was simply scandalous. Respectability was conspicuous by its absence, though no more so than the Force, which is generally supposed to he its guardian and preserver. Not a blue uniform was to be seen, and larrikinism had the field to itself. A more thoroughly disgraceful scene has not been witnessed- by ‘the oldest inhabitant.’ The management acted with consideration in sending to the relief of the female portion of the stalls audience, an attendant, who escorted them en masse to the calm retreat of the circle." This is no more than can be expected when such vicious dramas as The Kellys are allowed to be played.

* 26 August 1880, Lyttelton Times, New Zealand. A new, five act version of The Kellys premieres at the Theatre Royal, Wellington.

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1881

* 11 April 1881 - Kelly Gang performance by the Signor Garrottee Royal Marionette puppets at Mr Harris's Assembly Rooms, Wallsend, Newcastle.

* 30 July 1881 - The Kelly Gang Ostracised!, Princess's Theatre, Melbourne. Musical drama production, written by E. C. Martin. Generally known as Ostracised! The play toured to Geelong, Beechworth and Albury through to early 1882.

The Lorgnette, Melbourne, 8 August 1881.

* 1881 - The Great Waxworks Exhibition, included the Kelly Gang. Toured New South Wales during this year.

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1882

* 1882 - The Great Waxworks Exhibition, included the Kelly Gang. Toured Tasmania during this year.

* 28 February 1882 - Kelly Gang performance by the Italian Marionette Company puppets at Goulburn.

* 8 April 1882 - Ostracised, or the Downfall of Crime - a second Kelly play by J. J. Utting. Presented as "the great Kelly drama" in the Victoria Hall, Sydney. Banned by the police after its premiere performance.

- The Sydney Daily Telegraph, 8 April 1882:

The Victoria Hall lessees have provided a special attraction for the Easter holidays, an entirely new version of the "Kellys" having been specially written for the occasion, and called, "Ostracised, or the Downfall of Crime." The drama is of a highly sensational character, containing startling situations and scenic effects terminating with the burning of the Glenrowan Inn and the death of the outlaws. The piece, which has been some time in rehearsal, with a strong cast, will be produced for the first time this evening, and should draw a good house.

- The Sydney Daily Telegraph, 10 April 1882:

Victoria Hall.

The holding capacity of the Victoria Hall was taxed to its utmost limit on Saturday night, when "Ostracised, or the Downfall of Crime," an entirely new version of the sensational Kelly drama, was introduced for the first time with a strong cast. The leading characters were fully sustained, and the whole production was a decided success. The first act opened with the home of the outlaws and the Mansfield murders. Act 2 shows the bushrangers at Jerilderie, N.S.W., robbing the bank. Act 3 finds them at Glenrowan. The 4th and last act show Mrs. Jones' hotel at Glenrowan, the death of the outlaws, and the burning of the building. The drama is of a highly sensational type, and contains many startling situations. The scenic effects were good. The part of Ned Kelly was taken by Mr. Geo. Collier; Dan Kelly by Mr. A. I. Burton; Steve Hart by Mr. C. I. Burford and Joe Byrne by Mr. J. W. Sweeney. Miss Alice Mowbray played Kate Kelly and Miss Cora M'Ian took the part of Mrs. Kelly. The other parts were fairly played. The applause was loud and frequent throughout the piece, judging from which "Ostracised" is likely to have a most successful run.

- The Sydney Daily Telegraph, 11 April 1882:

The performance of a dramatic production called "Ostracised, or the Downfall of Crime," which is based on the career of the Kelly gang, was prohibited at the Victoria Hall by the Inspector-General of Police last night. The piece was played to a large audience on Saturday evening, and another bumper house had gathered yesterday to revel in crime and gore, but those present had to be satisfied with "The Ticket-of-Leave Man." It will be remembered that some 18 months or two years ago a similar drama was "Lord Chamherlained" at the Queen's Theatre.

- The Burrangong Argus, Wednesday, 12 April 1882:

The performance of a blood and-thunder drama called "Ostracised, or the downfall of the Kelly gang" was prohibited by the authorities at the Victoria Hall yesternight. It was played to a crowded house on Saturday night, and another large audience assembled last night, but the piece was changed to the "Ticket-of-leave Man."

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1883

* 1883 - The Great Waxworks Exhibition, included the Kelly Gang. Toured Victoria and South Australia during this year.

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1884-90

* During this period there were no performances noted. Numerous horses bore the name Ned Kelly or Kate Kelly, and a number of publications were published relating to the history of the Kelly gang.

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1891-4

* Waxwork shows featuring the Kelly gang and armour, plus subjects such as murderers and convicts toured South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland during this period. They were accompanied by lectures.

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1894

* 10 April 1894, National Advocate, Bathurst. Notice of the following event at the Bathurst Show. It is unclear what type of performance it is by The Bushrangers troupe: Siege of Glenrowan. Capture of New Kelly. The Bushrangers, Bathurst Show.

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1896

* The Kelly Gang - play by Reg Rede. Based on the 1880 play by J. J. Utting. Tours Victoria

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1897

* 2 October 1897 - The Hayes Dramatic Company presents The Kelly Gang, Academy of Music, Williamstown, Victoria. 'New Scenery, New Songs, New Effects!'

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1898

* 12 March 1898 - The Kelly Gang - play by Reg Rede. Production by Dan Barry opens in Melbourne.

Reg Rede, The Kelly Gang, The Lorgnette, 12 March 1898.

* 7 April 1898 - R. I. Cole's Bohemian Company presents The Australian Bushrangers at Benalla, Victoria, with a significant section on the activities of the Kelly Gang.

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1899

*17 February 1899. Dan Barry Dramatic Company stages The Kelly Gang at Echuca.

* 31 March 1899 - The Death and Destruction of Australia's Bushrangers: The Kelly Gang - theatre presentation / play by R. I. Cole and the Cole Dramatic Company.

* 6 May 1899 - John Henry Greene’s The Kelly Gang opens in Charters Towers and then tours throughout Queensland and South Australia.

* 22 July 1899 - The Kelly Gang: or, the career of the outlaw Ned Kelly, the Ironclad Hero of Australia - play by Arnold Denham.

* 6 October 1899 - Outlaw Kelly, letterpress theatre poster, 100.5 x 37.2cm, for a play by Launcelot Booth. Text includes a complete cast list and synopsis of four acts of Outlaw Kelly, with the date of Monday, October 9, and “This drama has been specially written for Mr Robert Henry by the well-known Australian author, Mr Launcelot Booth, and is a remarkably bright and striking story of the notorious Ned Kelly Gang… Builder Printing Works, 527 Kent Street, Sydney.” Source: Josef Lebovic Gallery, Sydney.

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1900

* 8 January 1900 - Hands Up! or Ned Kelly and His Gang - play by R. I. Cole.

* 14 February 1900, Kalgoorlie Miner, Western Australia. Advertisement for The Kelly Gang at the Miners' Institute, presented by the Kate Howarde Company. This was after a 6 week run at the Theatre Royal, Perth.

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1901

* Dan Barry's Dramatic Company tours The Kelly Gang through New South Wales and South Australia, having been on the road since 1898, and taking in Victoria and Queensland through to 1903.

* 16 December 1901, Evening News, Sydney. "The Kelly Gang" - Alleged Breach of Copyright. Claim for £200. Report on the court case over copyright in the play / sketches Ned Kelly, Outlaw and subsequent production called The Kelly Gang; continued The Australian Star, Sydney, 17 December 1901.

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1902

* 11 January 1902, Critic, Adelaide.

Difficult to understand why Mr. Arnold Denham should perpetually bring actions at law concerning infringements of the copyright of The Kelly Gang — an alleged drama. There is certainly a great similarity between it and Reg Rede's The Kelly Gang, Dora Mostyn's Ransomed, Dan Barry's Kelly Gang, Henry's Outlaw Kelly, Ostracised, and other versions of the same bloody and sordid story. In Sydney District Court when Denham sued the Messrs. Fuller of the Empire for £200, Judge Rogers got a lot of fun out of the case, and. said it had a pleasing novelty. As far as it may be judged, from the evidence, the Judge gave Denham 20 guineas, with costs, mainly because some of the actors who had played in Denham's version padded their parts in Fuller's one act revival with gags from. it.

* Bernard Espinasse and Harry Leader's Ned Kelly, the Bushranger play is performed in London. He is a former (1899-1901) employee of J. C. Williamson's, Sydney.

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1903

* Dan Barry's Dramatic Company tours The Kelly Gang through Queensland 1902-3 and Tasmania.

* 30 October 1903, Tasmanian News, Hobart. - The following interview with J. J. Utting describes the origins of the supposed first dramatic play to be presented about the Kelly Gang. There is some conflict with the statements made by Mr. Hornsby who wrote and presented a similar play in New Zealand around the same time, and of a Sydney play that was banned by the police just prior to its initial performance:

"The Kelly Gang."

Who Wrote It?

Interview With the Author.

During the last twenty years there have been several versions of "The Kelly Gang" drama produced at various Australian theatres. It has been pretty evident there has been a considerable amount of stealing or "pirating" from the first piece on that subject. The name of author has never been given, but the different versions bear such a remarkable likeness to each other that there is little doubt they are all loosely related to the original Kelly Gang drama produced in New Zealand in 1880 - the first drama founded on the Kelly story, or to a drama played in 1882 in Sydney, which bore a different title, but was the work of the same author. There has been much litigation as to the authorship and ownership of "The Kelly Gang," or other pieces with a somewhat similar name, and it has occupied the attention of Supreme Court judges in nearly all the mainland capitals with varying results, including injunctions, while one poor "pirate" was sentenced to a term of gaol. The theatrical manager who has played the piece without either let or hindrance is Dan Barry, against whom no proceedings have been taken, because "The Kelly Gang" is the property of one of his company, and has been duly registered and protected. This version of "The Kelly Gang" is the oldest of the lot, for it is the version that was written and played in New Zealand about the middle of the year 1880 - immediately after the break up and capture or the gang at Glenrowan and death of some of its members. Mr Barry being now about to reproduce this sensational piece in Hobart, a representative of this journal was told off to interview him on the subject of the first production of the drama in Maoriland.

"You want me to tell you something about 'The Kelly Gang,' said he. "Well that is funny, seeing that the author of the original drama, and that which we produce to-morrow night, is connected with your own office."

"How do you mean? " asked our representative.

"You go and interview your Chief of Staff, and he will tell you all about it - if he feels inclined. He has never yet told the story in print I know, but he may tell it to you. If he does, that will set at rest the question of the authorship of the original 'Kelly Gang' - if you can get it out of him. You will find it interesting, I can tell you that much, any way."

Subsequently our representative waited on Mr J. J, Utting, the leader of our literary staff, and told him what had transpired with Dan Barry. After some pressing, Mr Utting told the story, some thing after the following fashion:

"Well, I had no intention of getting myself in print over 'The Kelly Gang,' In fact I have always studiously avoided it. Dan has come along and is going to give us this terrible drama, and as I am - and I confess it with shame - the author, I'll tell you about this 'Kelly Gang,' and also about the 'Kelly Gang' with a different name afterwards produced in Sydney, of which I was also the author.

It was in July, I think, of 1880, that I went one Saturday night into the Theatre Royal in Wellington, New Zealand. I was then on the literary staff of the 'New Zealand Times.' There was a dreadfully bad house, and I suggested to the lessee and manager that if he wanted to do anything like a' business' he must give the public something novel instead of the old stuff he was playing. I forget now what it was, but something very old and out of date, even twenty-three years ago. The lessee at that time was a Jew who knew little about theatres, but had taken this for a short time on spec. I suggested a drama on the lines of 'The Kelly Gang,' whose deeds were then ringing through Australia and New Zealand. 'But,' said the lessee,' there is no such drama in existence.' 'Perhaps not, but make it a matter of business, and you shall have a Kelly gang piece by Monday.' 'Do you mean it,' asked Mr A---, who knew that I had written and produced in Wellington two or three dramas. The long and the short of it was that I agreed to write a Kelly gang piece, and deliver it by noon on Monday for the sum of £10, the money to be paid on delivery of the 'scrip.' I at once returned home and wrote all night, and until noon the next day - Sunday. Then slept till 8 o'clock, and wrote again till 8 o'clock in the morning. Slept till 6, when I was again called, and worked on till 11, by which time I had completed a three-act drama, and by noon it was delivered to Mr. A--- , whose face was wreathed in smiles as he gave me the promised cheque, for he knew 'there was money in it.'

It was immediately copied out, the parts distributed, and the piece put in rehearsal, and advertised by the title which I gave it, namely, 'Retribution - or, The Last of the Kelly's.' The name was changed later. On the following Friday I spoke to Captain Hamlyn, Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives about the drama. I suggested to him that he should ask the Premier to stop the piece, as it was a class of drama that could not possibly improve the 'tone' of playgoers, being of the Jack Sheppard class, whose presentation had - so it was said - long ago been stopped in England, The gallant captain 'winked the other eye,' and said he had no intention of trying to stop the play which was to be produced on the following night, and he declined to ask the Government any question on the subject, adding that he and a 'mob' of the legislators intended going to see it. Poor fellows, they had no better way of putting in their time of a Saturday night - most of them being far away from home. Then I quietly told him I was the writer of it, and naturally, for the sake of the man who had paid me for the drama, wanted to see a good house.

I may say here that I had sold the piece out-and-out to Mr. A---, and made the stipulation that my name was not to be mentioned in connection with it as its author, for I was not proud of it, and as the writer of two or three other dramas which had been played throughout New Zealand with success, and in Wellington especially, I did not desire to have my reputation, such as it was, lowered by claiming the authorship of this 'sensation' on a subject which could not be looked upon by the highest stretch of imagination as a classical one.

As soon as Parliament opened on Monday afternoon, I was in the gallery of the House of Representatives and was parliamentary reporter on the 'New Zealand Times'. True to his promise, Captain Hamlyn asked the Premier, Mr (afterwards Sir) John Hall if he had seen the advertisements in the public press and the daring posters on the hoardings in the streets about the Kelly gang; and whether his Government intended to stop the presentation on the grounds of etc., etc. The Premier replied that he had seen the advertisement etc., etc., and regretted that the Government had no power to stop the presentation of this drama, but would, during the recess have a bill drawn up, etc., etc.

I took down in shorthand every word my friend the captain had said, and every word the Premier had said in reply. I had a colleague the Upper House, and there (at my instigation) a similar question had been asked of the Minister representing the Government by (as well as I can remember), the Hon Mr Waterhouse, and a pretty similar answer was given. In both Houses the questions had been asked without notice as being "urgent." The result was that next morning there was half a column and more in the journal I represented under the heading of 'The Kelly Gang,' and that night the theatre was packed to its utmost capacity, The first 'Ned Kelly' was 'Bob Love,' who within the past half-dozen years has married Mrs Harmston, and so become the bloated proprietor of Harmston's Circus. I met him in Ballarat five or six years ago, and I think that next to being the proprietor of this great equestrian combination, he took the most pride in being the first stage representative of Ned Kelly.

"In the Company that played 'Retribution, or The last of the Kellys,' R. W. Rede - This is the clever comedian who belongs to Dan Barry's Company, and is the gentleman who now owns the scrip - the original scrip - in my handwriting. He played the part of Joe Byrne, while his wife, Miss Lizzie Lawrence, also had a part in the piece and Kate Kelly was played by Miss Lizzie Morgan. The piece had a big run, and afterwards travelled through New Zealand with Clara Stephenson as the Kate Kelly, and with Mr Rede - 'Reg' Rede - in the company. I understand that Mr Rede afterwards purchased the drama from the gentleman who had commissioned me to write it."

"Have you ever seen the piece played since its original production in Wellington?" asked the "News" man.

"Yes. I saw it about three years ago at the Alexandra Theatre in Melbourne - now Her Majesty's, and occupied by Mr J. C. Williamson."

"Was it the same as when produced in New Zealand?"

"Well, practically it was; but there were some police comedy scenes introduced, much after the style of those which take place in 'Robbery Under Arms' between constables McGinnis and O'Hara. Now, Mr Rede played the small part (as it was at first) of McGinnis, and 'Jack' Caesar that of O'Hara in Dampier's 'Robbery Under Arms,' and they gradually worked up the comedy to its present level. Then, when Rede left Dampier he took with him (in his head) the parts of McGinnis and O'Hara, which he and Caesar had 'made,' and transferred them to 'The Kelly Gang.'"

"And with that exception was the piece you saw at the Alexandra the piece you wrote in Wellington, Mr Utting?"

"Well, I believe so - indeed, being behind with Rede - a friend of mine of many years' standing, dating from the old New Zealand days - he informed me that they played the piece from my original scrip, and asked me if I would like to have a look at it. But I expressed no desire that way, and when I afterwards came to see the drama from the front I certainly recognised many little 'bits' which I did not write, but which had probably been introduced in the way of effect. No, I am not talking about the comedy, but bits of trashy sentiment that had been put into the mouths of the bushrangers, of which I should be very sorry to be the author."

"Was it only played in Wellington - I mean so far as New Zealand is concerned?" asked our reporter.

"I believe it was played all over that colony, being invariably put up on the last night and packing the house, And coming down to recent times I know that only about four years ago it crowded the Ballarat theatre for two' last nights, old at it was - they couldn't get all the people in that wanted to see it in one night."

"I have beard, Mr Utting, that you were also the author of another Kelly Gang piece - this time in Australia?''

"Yes, that's quite true; but I was not so fortunate with that?"

"How so - tell us the story if you don't object."

"Not at all, for having acknowledged myself as the author of one 'Kelly Gang' atrocity, I may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. It was in Sydney, early in 1882, that I was approached by some theatrical people who had seen 'The Kelly Gang' in New Zealand. I told them I hadn't got the scrip, but that I would write them another drama on similar lines, but a very much better version. And so I did. My terms this time were different. Instead of selling the piece right out, I stipulated for a royalty of three guineas a night. This time I made it a four act drama on similar lines, but a very much better drama than the New Zealand one. I called it 'Ostracised, or the Downfall of Crime,' and so it was billed and advertised. It was produced at the Academy of Music in Castlereagh street - called then Victoria Hall, on Saturday, April 6th. The house was packed, and I got my three guineas all right, and looked forward to collecting between fifty and sixty guineas in royalties, for a three weeks' run seemed certain, But I had been too clever this time, and had far better have taken another tenner and done with it."

"And how was that, Mr Utting?"

"You shall hear. The theatre was packed, and the drama, which was really not such a blood and thunder affair as the other, went off splendidly. There was a very long cast of characters, consisting of no fewer that 24 speaking parts, including 17 men and 7 women. And there were some notable Australian actors in the cast. For instance, George Collier played Ned Kelly; C. H Burford, Steve Hart; "Jack" Sweeny, Joe Byrne; Alick Andrews, Constable Swipes; and Jack Thorpe, Constable Lonergan. Among the ladies were Miss Sally Browne, afterwards known as 'Pattie' Browne and now earning big money as a London comedienne of note. Miss Browne played the part of Topps, a Victorian larrikin, who held the police in derison. Kate Kelly was played by an elder sister of Miss Browne's - stage name Miss Alice Mowbray, wife of Jack Sweeney. Collier was stage manager; A. L. Barton, lessee and manager; and Sydney Hall, agent. Alas! of the above men, no fewer than five have passed away to the Great Unknown, namely, George Collier, Charley Burford, Jack Sweeney, Alick Andrews, and Jade Thorpe."

"And yon say the piece was a success?"

"It went like wildfire from the start and fairly knocked spots off 'The Last of the Kellys.'"

"Did yon have your name to this version?"

"No, I did not; and for the same reason. I had, shortly before, had my 'Great World of London' and 'The Colliery Girl,' produced at the Sydney Opera House, and did not care to risk it, so I again hid in my light under a bushel - more especially as I was at that time on the Sydney press, and did not wish to be pointed out either as the author of 'The Kelly Gang' or of 'Ostrascised.'

"And how long did ' Ostracised' run? Did yon get your anticipated fifty or sixty guineas in royalties out of it?"

"No, worse luck. Everybody in the theatre was delighted with it on Saturday night, and a long run was predicted. Monday was Easter Monday, and both morning and evening papers gave 'Ostracised' real good notices. And that was the last 'good' it got. At night the theatre was packed, and at eight o'clock precisely the manager stepped before the curtain and announced to the audience that the police had interdicted any farther performances of 'Ostracised.'"

"That was hard lines. What was the reason?"

"I can only suppose," replied the author of these two bushranging dramas, "that the police were offended at the treatment they received from the low comedy people of the drama for their extraordinary, not to say pusillanimous conduct at times in connection with their endeavors to capture the bushrangers. The manager appealed to those of the audience who might have witnessed the piece on Saturday if there was anything wrong in it, and the reply was a perfect chorus and yell of 'nose!' He then announced that ' The Ticket of Leave Man ' (it was either that or 'Never too Late to Mend,' I am not quite certain which) had been hurriedly substituted for 'Ostracised,' and that their money would he returned to those who desired it. Only about a dozen persons left, for it was a holiday night, and by that time probably every other place of amusement in Sydney was crowded. So they stopped where they were."

"And was that the and, Mr Utting?"

"The end? Yes, and a pretty good end too, I think. Instead of getting all those guineas all I got was three, and l'm sure I might have had twenty if I'd asked for them right out, and no royalty. And worse than all, when I went to get my scrip I found somebody had 'nobbled' it, and I have never seen it from that day to this."

"But you don't think anybody connected with the theatre stole it, do you?"

"I don't think anything else. There are actors and actors. Some of them would steal anything in the way of a play - or the very teeth out of your head if they could be turned into a stage property?"

"But 'The Kelly Gang?"

"Oh, as for that, it honestly belongs to Reg Rede. I have no claim to that whatever. I was sorry to lose ' Ostracised,' for I had taken a lot of pains with it, and it was really a most excellent drama, I could have re-written it, I suppose, as I had the plot or skeleton - quite different from the Kelly Gang - but was too disgusted to bother about it. But I may do so some day."

"Will you go and see your old friend tomorrow night?"

"Very likely, - but please don't call it my 'friend.' I may go just for the sake of old times, and to see how much of my stuff 'Reg' has knocked out of it, and how much more of his own put in."

"In conclusion, Mr Utting, may I ask you what you think of it as a literary production?"

"Well, I will answer that as I did a similar question put to me when I saw it at the Alexandra in Melbourne."

"And how was that, Mr Utting?"

"That the 'gifted' author ought to get six months."

And so the interview terminated.

* 7 November 1903, The Daily Telegraph, Sydney. This article summaries the origins of the original 1880 New Zealand play by J. J. Utting:

There has been so much litigation, so much "pirating" in connection with dramas founded upon the exploits of the Kelly Gang, that it is interesting to know that the original play on the subject was written by Mr. J. J. Utting, who is well-known in Sydney as a journalist, having filled important posts on several papers, and who is now on the staff of the "Hobart Examiner." Mr. Utting has told the story of how he wrote the original drama when Parliamentary reporter on the "New Zealand Times," Wellington, in 1880, in a two and a-half column interview. A company appearing at the Theatre Royal was doing poor business, and Mr. Utting suggested that the management should give the public something novel, instead of the old stuff. The long and short of it was that Utting agreed to deliver a Kelly Gang piece for £10 on the following Monday (it was then Saturday). The contract was completed, but Utting, who had already written several plays which had achieved success, declined to have his name attached to it. The author, however, assisted in giving the drama a great advertisement. He got the chairman of committees in the House of Representatives (Captain Hamlyn) to ask the Premier, Mr. (afterwards Sir) John Hall, whether the Government intended to stop the presentation of such a play, and so on. The Premier regretted that he had no power (the innocent author did not know that, of course), but, like Gilbert's Mikado, he would have a bill introduced next session. A similar question was asked in the Upper House. Result - columns of the report of the debate, and an enormous attendance. The first Ned Kelly was Mr. Robert Love, who married Mrs. Harmston, and became the proprietor of Mrs. Harmston's circus. What Mr. Utting, however, did not tell the interviewer was that there was a remarkably funny incident in the first presentation of the lurid play. Thu murder of Sergeant Kennedy was a unique one. Ned Kelly advanced from the wings, and presented his revolver, which declined to go off. However, down went Kennedy, represented by an actor named Wilkinson, amid roars of laughter, which were increased as he made observations to the effect that he was about to die. To save the situation, the other three members of the gang tried to shoot the trooper, but their revolvers also, strangely enough, missed fire. The trooper was a corpse by this time, but the situation was too much for the dead sergeant, who began to wobble about the stage, a victim of uncontrollable laughter. Then the bushranger began to laugh too, and the curtain finally descended amid shrieks of merriment. It was Mr. Utting's "Ostracised, or the Down fall of Crime," another Kelly Gang drama, which was produced at the Academy of Music, Castlereagh-street, in 1882, and in which such old actors as Messrs. George Collier, Charles Burford, Alick Andrews, and Jack Sweeney appeared, and also Alice Pattie Browne. "Ostracised," it will be remembered, was prohibited after the first performance. The script of this piece was lost, but the possessor of the original script is Reg. W. Rede, who appeared in its first performance. Mr. Utting was asked what he thought of his original drama as a literary production. He replied: "The gifted author ought to get six months."

* 11 November 1903, The Mercury, Hobart. "The Kellys" on stage. Some reminiscences and reflections.

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1904

* Bernard Espinasse and Harry Leader's Ned Kelly play is performed in London.

* 18 February 1904, Darling Downs Gazette, Queensland. Dan Barry Coy. Some of Dan's Adventures. An interview.

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1905

* 9 August 1905, Sydney Sportsman.

W. H. Metcalfe put on 'The Kelly Gang' in Town Hall, Northcote, Vic., to a , 'sick' house the other night.

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1906

* 26 May 1906, Evening Post, New Zealand.

"The Kelly Gang."

A Reply From Mr. Hornsby.

Dear Orpheus,— Was at the Opera House last night and saw "The Kelly Gang", and got into a heated argument with another patron of the "gods" about the "drammer." He (that is, the other fellow) said that this was the original production of the "Kelly Gang's" life in drama form. I know that that statement is wrong, but I did not argue the point, as the other fellow was bigger than I, but I have a distinct recollection of witnessing a play in the local Opera House on the same subject. I forget the name of the company, but I think the play was called "Kelly, the Outlaw." This would be about ten years ago, or perhaps not so long. — I am, etc.. SNIPER.

I had recollection of reading or hearing about a performance of a play based on the life of Ned Kelly, and, remembering the name of the author, I wrote to 'Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.H.R., for the Wairorapa. He forwards me the following interesting particulars :—

"The story of the Kelly drama is as follows. One Utting wrote, 'on the spur of the moment,' a sort of Richardson's show affair, which he called 'The Kelly Gang.' The alleged drama was performed in Wellington, under whose management I do not know, but the whole thing lasted about three-quarters of an hour, the alleged 'play,' I mean. At the same time I was engaged in writing 'The Kellys,' and, after getting scenery painted and all arrangements for putting it on, I raked a crowd together, including professionals and amateurs, and we put the drama on for presentation to the Invercargill public. (I was foreman printer, then, in the Southland Daily News office.) The part of Kate Kelly was taken by a Madame Muriel, Ned Kelly by myself, and the part of Dan by a young fellow in Invercargill, since dead — I don't know if the play hastened his end — named George Thomas, who was also a 'comp.' Someone introduced a Bill into Parliament to prevent the performance of 'The Kellys,' and it was sought to make the Bill a matter of urgency. Excitement ran high in Invercargill, and on the night when the drama was to be played two police officers were told off to await a telegram from Wellington, and, if the Bill passed, to stop the performance. These officers stood by the door leading to the stage, and the audience, which packed the building, waited with impatience. At 8.10 p.m. the curtain was rung up, and as the 'rag' rose there was great cheering. Meantime, the House had thrown the Bill out with a thud. The drama was played for three or four nights, and somebody made money out of it — I didn't. The man who wrote out the prompt copy is in Wellington now. I know that mine was the first Kelly drama, if I may dignify it by that name, and its leading features were the killing of the police by the gang, the pursuit of the gang, the camp in the Strathlogie ranges, the sticking -up of the bank, and the burning of the Glenrowan Hotel. Regarding the query of "Sniper," the Henry Dramatic Company produced a four-act drama entitled "Outlaw Kelly," a record of the doings of tho Kelly Gang, at the Wellington Opera House in December, 1898. The cast included Robert Henry as Ned Kelly, R. G. Stynes as Dan Kelly, George Harpur as Steve Hart, B. Littles as Joe Byrne, A. S. Hodge as Aaron Sherritt, W. J. Coulter as Rev. Father Gibney, C. Archer as Sergeant Steele, F. Egerton as Sergeant Kennedy, V. Talbot as Constable Fitzpatrick. Miss Billie Howard as Kate Kelly, Miss P. Haygarth as Mary Byrne, and a dozen other characters.

* 26 December 1906 - The Story of the Kelly Gang - film, made by Johnson & Gibson.

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1907

* 26 March 1907, Lyttelton Times, New Zealand. Notes the presence of 85 different scenes in the 4,000 ft long film.

The Story of the Kelly Gang.

It will be of interest to readers to know that the identical armour worn by Steve Hart, one of the notorious outlaws, and who is one of the principal features of the moving pictures to he presented by Messrs J. and N. Tait on Saturday evening at His Majesty s Theatre, is on view at the Exhibition in the Victorian Court. It is stated that no effort and expense has been spared in the faithful production of these pictures. The cinematograph photographers were specially engaged by Messrs Tait’s representatives in England, and the films are said to be the best ever produced in Australia and New Zealand. The representation of this event in Australian outlawry consists of eighty-five different pictures, and the film is 4000 ft in length. A number of the latest European and American pictures will also be shown. There will be a matinee on Monday afternoon. The box plan will open tomorrow morning at the Dresden.

* 27 March 1907, Lyttelton Times, New Zealand.

The Kelly Gang Biograph.

Messrs J. and N. Tait have at present no fewer than five companies touring Australia with the biograph “The Story of the Kelly Gang.” The whole picture is Messrs Tait's exclusive property, as the subject was planned and taken under their supervision. They claim that it is the most expensive and comprehensive cinematograph picture ever taken. Its cost exceeded over £1000 before the now valuable negative was secured. The subject was carefully studied and worked out in every detail, so that the moving picture should present a really reliable representation of the daring deeds of the notorious quartet of bushrangers. Several persons who took an active part in tracking down the Kellys gave their advice, and it was an easy matter for the well-known managers to arrange for several of the exact locations where the gang held sway. The opening scene is at the Kelly homestead, and the film takes the audience through a series of the most dramatic episodes, such as the police camp in the Wombat Ranges, where the Kellys committed final murders, sticking up the bank at Euroa and Jerilderie, the black trackers at work, Kate Kelly and the sympathisers helping the gang, and the attempt to wreck the train at Glenrowan. In order to secure the train incident to advantage, a special train had to be engaged, and it forms one of the most interesting features of the series of the final capture at Glenrowan, worked out in a most realistic fashion. In Melbourne alone the picture ran for six weeks to crowded audiences. The season here will commence on Saturday evening, March 30, at His Majesty’s Theatre, and the box plan will be opened to-morrow morning at the Dresden. A matinee will be given on Easter Monday.

* May 1907 - The Story of the Kelly Gang - film by Johnson & Gibson, updated version, with new footage.

* 18 May 1907, Truth, Perth. Notice re the opening of The Career of the Kelly Gang at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth. Presentation by William Anderson. This was three days after the opening of the film at the Theatre Royal.

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1909

James Wallace presents ...... Kelly Gang, poster on newsprint, 28 x 79 cm.

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1910

* December 1910 - The Story of the Kelly Gang - film by Johnson & Gibson, updated version, with new footage.

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1920

* The Kelly Gang - film by Harry Southwell.

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1923

* When the Kellys Were Out - film by Harry Southwell.

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1934

* When the Kellys Rode - film by Harry Southwell.

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1939

* 18 June 1939, The Sun, Sydney. H.M., Commercial success with Australian Plays - The bright period of the nineties.

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1940

* 8 June 1940, The Age, Melbourne.

To The Editor of the Age. Sir,— My name having been mentioned in "The Age" "Melodious Memories" of Saturday week, I take the liberty of replying. It was in 1893 when Gerard Kean heard my wife and self sing Excerpts from Maritana, at Rutherglen, and at the hotel we were told the young lady waitress was Steve Hart's sister. In 1894 or 1898, I am not sure which, I played Steve Hart in The Kelly Gang for the late Dan Barry, at the Alexandra, now His Majesty's Theatre. Mr. Kean cannot hear my wife sing (she was killed in a motor accident In 1929), but if he will call at the Players' Theatre, 84 Elizabeth-street any Wednesday after noon, 3 to 5, he will hear me, and also I will introduce him to "Sweet Memories," one of the founders of this association. — Yours, &c., James Shepherd, Vice-president, Old Players and Playgoers' Association.

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1942

* Ned Kelly - radio play by Douglas Stewart.

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1949

* 13 August 1949, The Herald, Sydney. When 'pictures' went on tour. Mentions J. & N. Tait, The Kelly Gang and Dan Barry etc.

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1951

* The Glenrowan Affair - film by Rupert Kathner.

* 27 August 1951, Daily Mirror, Sydney.

Yesterday, by Jim Donald In a recent "Yesterday" stage and screen productions based on the career of the Kelly Gang were mentioned. . My own knowledge in the dramatic field of Kelly Gang exploitation goes back to the old Alexander Theatre (Melbourne). The late Dan Barry had leased the old Iron Clad playhouse, and one of his blood and thunder offerings had to do with the Kelly saga. It was some time in the late nineties, and although the play did not bear the Kelly name stamp it presented the gang's principal achievements. Mr. Barry was a past master at pinching other playwrights' property. Possibly the best stage version of "The Kelly Gang" was that given by the George Willoughby Dramatic Co. at the Sydney Adelphi (now the Tivoli) in 1915. George Cross, handsome hero of countless melodramas played Ned Kelly. Roland Riley, Fred Brundall, Frank Neil and Bert Barton gave strong support. The women in the cast were Vera Ramee, (Kate Kelly) Oreil Hotson, Fanny Erris and Ada Claire. Of all the players I can trace only one who is still active in the profession. Every now and again Bert Barton crops up in the east of a radio play. Death, I know, has claimed George Cross and Frank Neil, but the fate of the others is unknown to me. No doubt, a number of them are still alive.

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1956

* Ned Kelly - play by Douglas Stewart, Elizabeth Theatre, Sydney. Artwork by Sid Nolan.

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1959

* Ned Kelly - television play, adapted from the 1942 radio play by Douglas Stewart.

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1963

* Ballad for One Gun - television film.

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1967

* Stringybark Massacre - avant garde film by Garry Shead.

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1970

* Ned Kelly - starring English singer and actor Mick Jagger.

Ned Kelly, 1970, international movie poster, 77 x 79 inches.

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1977

* Ned Kelly - musical play by Reg Livermore and Patrick Flynn.

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1980

* The Last Outlaw - television series of 4 episodes.

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1993

* Reckless Kelly - a satirical comedic film by Yahoo Serious.

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2003

* Ned Kelly - film starring Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom.

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2007

* The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), restoration by the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia, Canberra, 2007, DVD + booklet.

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2012

* Ned Kelly - play by Matthew Ryan.

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2015

* Ned - a musical by Anna Lyon, Adam Lyon and Marc Mcintyre.

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2019

* True History of the Kelly Gang - film. Based on the 2000 novel by Peter Carey.

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Last updated: 18 June 2024

Michael Organ, Australia (Home)

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