The Kelly Gang is a 1896 Australian play about Ned Kelly by actor Reg Rede. The play, heavily influenced by the stage adaptation of Robbery Under Arms - in which Rede had appeared - was very popular and much imitated by the authors of other plays about Ned Kelly.[1][2][3][4]
| The Kelly Gang | |
|---|---|
 The Lorgnette 2 June 1898 | |
| Written by | Reg Rede |
| Date premiered | 1896 |
| Place premiered | Victoria |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | Ned Kelly |
| Genre | melodrama |
It is not to be confused with The Kelly Gang by Arnold Denham.[5][6] It is likely Denham's play plagiarised from Rede's but due to the lack of copyright protection at the time Denham escaped consequences for this.[7]
The play debuted in rural regions in 1896 then transferred to Melbourne two years later. The play was very popular and unlike an earlier play about Kelly, Ostracised, was not banned. This encouraged numerous imitations, many of which borrowed from Rede's play and Robbery Under Arms.[1]
Critical reaction
The Bulletin said "The sentiments are neatly ladled out to suit all tastes."[8]