The musical, composed and written by Bendigo trio Adam Lyon, Marc McIntyre and Anna Lyon, follows the life of bushranger Ned Kelly.

The musical will be staged at Ulumbarra Theatre later this year.

Gardner is excited to get started on his preparation for the premiere musical.

"I’m definitely looking forward to being the inaugural Ned,” he said.

“I definitely want to leave my stamp on the character and would love to carry on doing it."

Auditions were held in Melbourne and Bendigo with more than 150 performers attending the three dates.

Ten Bendigo performers will also fill minor roles and the ensemble cast. Rehearsals for the ensemble begin tonight.

Gardner will join the rehearsals in Melbourne. He has yet to step foot in Ulumbarra theatre.

"I hear it's amazing. The idea that we can perform Ned in a theatre that was once a prison is great," he said.

"That they have kept original aspects of the prison is really cool. I can't wait to see it."

Read more about the cast of Ned in the Review section of Saturday's Bendigo Advertiser.