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 On my ACTORS playing Ned page I have a photo of a
man currently playing Ned in Beechworth.
His name is Michael Beattie and he played Ned last August during the Kelly
Weekend.
Michael gets my vote because not only does he sport a genuine beard, but also
because he plays Ned so well.
I asked Michael to write a few words for us here at NedOnTheNet.com
Nearly Ned
My name is Michael Beattie, I am a tour guide in Beechworth and for the
last couple of years have had the opportunity of telling visitors about
Ned's story and his Beechworth connections, as well as the Gold Rush in
Beechworth, but I've also played Ned in the re-enactment of the trial of
Edward Kelly. We are a group of amateur actors with a passion for
history. We use Kevin Passey's version of the trial, which has been
adapted by Ian Jones. An interval is used to change the scene from
Beechworth to Melbourne. Having the experience previously of playing
Constable McIntyre I can appreciate the dilemma faced by both parties.
But standing in the dock, looking like Ned? It's hard to find a
description that gives it justice. For nearly two hours Ned is not
permitted to speak until the end of the trial and we have Sir Redmond
and Ned's 'exchange'. Ned's controlled rage, Sir Redmond Barry's
stubbornness. Robert Down is our Sir Redmond (a magnificent accent!). At
first I was hesitant about being Ned, but with encouragement from Shane
Douthie (another Ned) and others, there has been no looking back.
Performing the trial in the Court House where around 40 trials involving
the Kelly's and relatives has a surreal feeling about it. The first year
it took my partner and I almost an hour to get from the Court to the
Bakery, so many photos! My partner Julie plays Maggie Skillion (no jokes
about going home with my sister!). So you could say I'm very blessed, I
look like Ned, I live and work in Beechworth, I love our history and my
partner likes my beard. So if you are in Beechworth on the first weekend
in August, come and see history alive and well! And if you see some one
who looks a lot like Joe Byrne, that's Dan Goonan another of our walking
tour guides, we almost have the whole gang up here!
End
Thumbnails open up larger images: Photos courtesy M. Beattie.
The image above was from The Age newspaper June 6 2007.
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