- Title
- The Mystery of Captain Moonlite
- Creator
- Binks, Casey; Cowen, Oliver; Glover, Eidann; Hamill, Kayla; McNamara, David
- Date
- 2017
- Type
- Text; Visual art work
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/157517
- Identifier
- vital:11624
- Abstract
- 27th-28th May 2017; Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Minerva Room Family Theatre Performance Created and performed by: Casey Binks, Oliver Cowen, Eidann Glover, Kayla Hamill and David McNamara A new musical work created by Federation University Arts Academy alumni, The Mystery of Captain Moonlite delves into the life and crimes of charismatic bushranger Captain Moonlite. Imprisoned in Ballarat Gaol for various nefarious deeds including robbery, theft, stealing, obtaining money without consent, and jaywalking, Andrew G. Scott - under the self-styled pseudonym Captain Moonlite - hatched a daring escape plan in the freezing Ballarat winter of 1872. With his motley crew of fellow convicts, Moonlite engineered one of the only successful escapes from the prison. The escapees would go on to politely terrorise regional Victoria (often being mistaken for the rival Kelly Gang), with their bizarre and farcical deeds securing Captain Moonlite’s place in history as the region’s most outlandish outlaw. Using original music created for the piece, five figures emerge from the mists of time to tell the story of their exchanges with the ‘notorious brigand’. Weaving together fact and fiction, verbatim statements from Moonlite’s contemporaries are peppered throughout lively songs and wacky dance numbers for all ages to enjoy. “While researching mysteries in and around Ballarat, we came across the story of Captain Moonlite’s escape and immediately fell in love with this incredible vagabond,” co-creator Eidann Glover said. “It seemed strange to me that I’d never heard of such an interesting historical figure, especially seeing as he was from right here in regional Victoria. He had such a unique personality and seemed like such a powerful character, we were really attracted to the idea of telling his story in a fun and engaging way.” The Mystery of Captain Moonlite is a musical and physical romp for the whole family. Come along for a fun adventure, and learn a little bit about one of Victoria’s hidden nuggets of history.
- Publisher
- Federation University Australia, Ballarat
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- 1904 Performing Arts and Creative Writing
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