Our first play reading for the year bought together some members from previous years and a number of new participants were also welcomed.

The play chosen was “The Putting Down of Ned Kelly” by Len Kenna. The first public performance of this play was in Benalla during the Felix Festival in April 1995. John Ellis was able to present signed memorabilia of the occasion and refer to the part Benalla Theatre Company played in the production.

The play tells the story of part of Ned’s life, his trial and his execution. It is also the story of pure political power and about men who were prepared to go to any lengths to protect their positions and to deflect attention from their own activities. It is also a story about today and tomorrow, for as long as men strive to rule and put their own interests ahead of the community: dishonesty, injustice and exploitation will become the order of the day.

It is also the story of a mother who is serving a three-year prison sentence with hard labour in the same prison as her son, Ned, who is awaiting execution. However, she cannot go to him, help him or comfort him in any way.

Although a short play, all attendees had an opportunity to read and show their skill.  Lively discussion ensued at the completion of the reading and some interesting stories, passed down through generations, were relayed of incidents and meetings with Ned that occurred at the time.

Next month our play is “Death By Chocolate” by Paul Freed.  A classic murder mystery with a scathing satire of today's health crazes. Should be fun!

​Jenny McKenna

At our last meeting we read the play “The Putting Down of Ned Kelly” by Len Kenna. The first public performance of this play was in Benalla during the Felix Festival in April 1995.

It is the story of part of Ned’s life, his trial and his execution. It is also the story of pure political power and about men who were prepared to go to any lengths to protect their positions and to deflect attention from their own activities. It is also a story about today and tomorrow, for as long as men strive to rule and put their own interests ahead of the community: dishonesty, injustice and exploitation will become the order of the day. 

It is also the story of a mother who is serving a three year prison sentence with hard labour in the same prison as her son, Ned, who is awaiting execution. However, she cannot go to him, help him or comfort him in any way.

Members were affected by this presentation of the Ned Kelly story. The harsh treatment of Ned and his lawyers by Redmond Barry; dubious documents submitted as evidence and the like.
A very interesting play indeed.
​
Keith Rogers

Our play for June, Terence Rattigan’s, ‘Table 1, Table by the Window’ from ‘Separate Tables’, took some time to set up physically and for us to gain a workable sense of our roles, however by Scene II we were well under away.  We became absorbed in this comedy of manners which cleverly addresses complex interpersonal issues in a powerful and thought-provoking way. Jenny and Pat, who had roles as the waitresses, decided to physically serve our imaginary tables while reading.  This wasn’t always smooth sailing as we read the script ‘cold’ without any preparation and find we do need to concentrate.   Fortunately, we don’t have to remember lines. Now that would be a huge challenge!
 
Our play for 5 July will be the second of the ‘Separate Tables’ plays ‘Table Number 7’.   There is an interim change of time and venue –  12 to 2 pm at the Library - as the Convenors’ briefing meeting is being held in the new U3A meeting room in Fawkner Drive in the morning.   

Coming up in August – ‘The Putting Down of Ned Kelly’, by Len Kenna, a play suggested by Marg Symons and first performed in Benalla in April 1995 as part of the Felix Australia Benalla Easter Arts Festival.  Len Kenna has granted us rights to do the play reading on the proviso that he can come to Benalla to hear us in action.   Having the writer as an audience will really test us out!

Bev Lee