6 Degrees of Ned Kelly

Photography c. Dave Quinn

Melita Rowston’s grandpa stole Ned Kelly’s bones!

Well ... that's what Rowston family folklore claims

Melita journeys to the heart of Kelly country to uncover the truth. Examining the skeletons in her own and many other families' closets, she meets a bunch of colourful characters who swear they're also connected to Ned Kelly - and will go to astonishing lengths to prove it!

Nora Moloney ran a pub in Wangaratta in the 1870’s. She kept a shotgun under the bar and thought Ned Kelly was ‘scum of the earth.’ Australia’s greatest bushranger of all time was scared of her. Or so the family folklore goes… Nora was Melita’s great, great grandmother.

In 1929, daredevil Malcolm Rowston nicked Ned Kelly’s bones from Old Melbourne Gaol or so he said… Malcolm was her grandfather. Are her family stories true?

Rowston grew up thinking everyone’s family has a Ned Kelly connection. Our Ned travelled, held a few people hostage and had a big family, maybe we’ve all been touched by his larrikin ways? Perhaps we’re all 6 degrees of separation from Ned Kelly? Or is this Australian tall-tale-telling at its finest?

Part TED talk, part comic monologue, Rowston explores a powerful myth that continues to inspire many Australians to do really stupid things.

MELITA ROWSTON'S SHIT TOURISM PRESENTS:

6 DEGREES OF NED KELLY

ADELAIDE FRINGE 2016:

VENUE: BASEM3NT, Adelaide

DATES: 17-21 February 2016

MELBOURNE FRINGE 2015:

VENUE: The 86 Cabaret Bar, Fitzroy

DATES: 30 Sept-4 Oct

SYDNEY FRINGE 2015:

VENUE: The Village Theatre, Erko Town Hall

DATES: 2-5 Sept, 2015

ABC 891 Adelaide Afternoons

Radio interview

ABC 774 Melbourne Breakfast Radio interview

“Her show has bits that will fascinate you, bits that will make you laugh and bits that will leave you wanting to know more." Australian Stage

“A lively, entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of a great story.” Theatre People

“Part mystery, part travelogue, a fascinating and funny exploration into Australia’s fascination with Kelly.” Aussie Theatre

“A spellbinding hour as Melita walks us through a personal odyssey into her past.” Lisa Thatcher

“A wonderfully constructed exploration of two family myths presented with lightness and humour.” Broadway World

“Witty incisive dialogue… delightfully whimsical.” Sydney Arts Guide

“Engaging, funny, tender and outrageously, candidly, wonderfully human." Syke on Stage

“Highly recommended. Consistently engaging, often very funny, and speaks volumes about our culture without hamfisting it down your throat.” Steve Smart

“By the time Rowston finishes her comic-lecture you’ll be convinced that every family has their own Kelly story.” The Spell of Waking Hours

“I thought I knew a fair bit about the Kelly legend, but as Rowston’s charming, narrative played out I was continually surprised.” OzBabyBoomers

3RRR Melbourne Radio interview