Iconic film The Castle is becoming a play

One of Australia's most beloved films makes its long-awaited journey to the stage in a brand-new theatrical production filled with heart, humour and the unforgettable charm of the Kerrigan family.

Based on the iconic Australian comedy, The Castle follows Darryl Kerrigan and his family as they take on an unlikely fight to protect the home they love.

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, memorable characters and the enduring spirit of the Aussie battler, the stage adaptation celebrates family, community and the timeless pursuit of "serenity".

The Castle will have its world premiere at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne from March 2027 for a strictly limited season.

The Castle on Stage

Location: Her Majesty's Theatre
Dates: 23 March to 18 April 2027
Tickets: Available now through Ticketek

ticketek.com.au

on Stage

The Castle remains one of Australia's most beloved films, with the story of underdog Darryl Kerrigan and his family's battle to save their home near Tullamarine Airport becoming a national classic. Released in 1997, the film grossed more than $11 million from a modest $750,000 budget and introduced unforgettable lines such as "tell him he's dreamin'", "it's the vibe" and "how's the serenity?" into everyday Australian language.

Now, nearly three decades later, the much-loved story is making its long-awaited debut on the stage.

The original writers - Working Dog Productions' Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro and Jane Kennedy - have spent the past decade developing a theatrical adaptation that stays true to the heart of the original while bringing the story to a new generation of audiences.

"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," the writers said in a joint statement.

"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."

Producer Michael Cassel said he immediately recognised the story's theatrical potential when approached by Working Dog Productions.

"There's always got to be a reason you bring a book or a movie into the theatre, and here you have a story that is engaging and characters you emotionally connect to," he said.

The production will be directed by Paige Rattray, whose recent credits include the second and third seasons of Netflix's *Heartbreak High*.

Cassel is confident Australian audiences will embrace the production, describing *The Castle* as one of the country's great success stories.

"These are two Aussie success stories that people already know they are going to feel joyful about, and it's our job to deliver on their investment," he said.

A celebration of family, resilience and the uniquely Australian spirit, *The Castle* has endured as one of the nation's defining comedies. Its transition from the screen to the stage promises to capture the humour, optimism and unmistakable "vibe" that has made it a favourite for generations.