It’s the vibe: Australian comedy classic The Castle set to become a stage play

A quarter of a century after its release, the iconic Australian film 'The Castle' is set to grace the stage. The original writing team behind the 1997 cult classic – Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro, and Jane Kennedy of Working Dog Productions – are penning the theatrical adaptation. The play will bring the Kerrigan family's heartwarming and humorous struggle against government plans to demolish their home for an airport expansion back to life.

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We wrote this new, fully updated show in the same way that we wrote the film screenplay all those years ago – the four of us in a room trying to make each other laugh.

"This is going straight to the pool room!" – a line that has become ingrained in Australian vernacular – will echo through Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne when the play premieres in March 2027. This timing is deliberate, marking the 30th anniversary of the beloved film. The creative team has expressed a long-held desire to adapt the story for the stage, envisioning a production that is not merely a retelling but a "quarter of a century of funny updates."

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Our goal was to capture the warmth and humour (dare we say, ‘the vibe’?) of the original story in a way that will hopefully resonate with new and long-term fans alike.

In their joint statement, the writers described their process as mirroring the film's creation: the four of them in a room, striving to make each other laugh. Their objective is to translate the original story's "vibe" – its warmth, humor, and inherent dignity – in a way that resonates with both existing fans and a new generation. They aim to capture the essence that made the film a touchstone of Australian cinema.

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The film miraculously captures the specificities of Australian life and yet feels so universally true; family love, the challenges change presents, and the warmth and humour and dignity of ordinary people standing up for what matters.

Producer Michael Cassel acknowledged the film's unique ability to capture specific Australian life while conveying universal themes of family, change, and the courage of ordinary people. He believes the story's blend of laughter and emotion makes it perfectly suited for live theater. "It makes you laugh, and then, before you know it, it makes you cry," Cassel remarked, emphasizing the emotional depth that live performance can amplify. Casting details for the production are yet to be announced.

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It makes you laugh, and then, before you know it, it makes you cry.