^{Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic}

Of all the Netflix content released in recent years, it’s hard to imagine a less obvious choice for musical adaptation. The perplexing and at times deeply troubling documentary series about wrongful conviction, Making A Murderer was as serious as they come. So how do you turn that into a fun hour of theatre? The answer is Phil Mealey, one of the writers behind The Royle Family and Early Doors, who has poured more than a little love into this passion project.

Steven Avery’s fight for justice is handled sensitively, and the show’s link to The Innocence Project shows which side its bread is buttered. It affords them the right to pepper humour into this otherwise tragic tale, and sing lively songs about DNA, Avery’s hometown in Wisconsin and prosecutor Ken Kratz. A strong cast of musical-theatre stalwarts give the show its necessary heft, while the real-life audio tracks and onscreen photos from both of Avery’s trials give this story the gravitas it deserves.

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 29 August, 5.40pm.