Heritage play brings true convict history to life

Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre will host the return of a historical play based on the life of Irish political prisoner and poet John Boyle O’Reilly. The Trials of John Boyle O’Reilly is a new production from renowned West Australian playwright Noel O’Neill, best known for his acting roles on ABC’s The Heights and 7’s The Claremont Murders. The one-man play tells the story of O’Reilly’s unlikely romance between him and the daughter of the warden in charge of his “chain-gang”, as well as tales of convict life in the Swan River Colony. The play was first performed in 2018 at Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre, and Producer Peter Murphy said they were excited to bring the previously sell-out production back. “I recall well the play being performed at Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre, and where people were turned away due to the venue being packed to the rafters,” he said. The production is directed by Bunbury playwright Norm Flynn, and stars up-and-coming actor Lachlan Kelly in the title role. The production runs at Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre from Thursday, October 12 to Friday, October 13 at 8pm. Tickets available on the Eventbrite website.