Harry Power Rides Again!

I have just been notified by the organising committee of the 2009 Beechworth Ned Kelly Weekend in Victoria that my monologue 'Harry Power and the Boy Bushranger' (see blog from 22/03/2007) has been accepted for performance at this year's event on 07 to 09/08/2009. Naturally, I am very excited, but also somewhat apprehensive since the audience is likely to include Kelly history buffs, including actual descendents of the Kelly clan, who are likely to be somewhat sceptical of an upstart from Fremantle purporting to incarnate one of their local legends. I have done my research though, including spending a night on Power's Lookout, the site of Harry's seemingly impregnable mountain hideout. I have also read all the books and watched all the movies, including the excellent portrayal by Gerard Kennedy in 'The Last Outlaw' (made in 1980 by Pegasus Productions and Channel Seven Melbourne). In my humble opinion however, I am physically closer to the real thing than Kennedy.;) The exact venue has yet to be decided, however it is likely to be in the vicinity of Beechworth's historic Town Hall, beneath which Harry was lodged in an especially-built holding cell for the duration of his trial; or the heritage Courthouse opposite, from the steps of which he cheerfully assured his public that he would soon be back among them, plying his trade of highway robbery, and in which he was subsequently sentenced to fifteen years hard labour without probation. A contingent from Fremantle is already being formed to make the trek across to Beechworth come August. Feel free to join us - just make sure you pack some warm clothes! Beechworth in August is f-freezing! Cheers,