One of Australia’s most beloved films is heading to the stage, with The Castle set to premiere as a major theatrical play at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in March 2027, marking the 30th anniversary of the iconic Working Dog comedy.

Produced by Michael Cassel Group in partnership with Working Dog, the adaptation reunites the film’s original creators – Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro and Jane Kennedy – who have written the script and joined the production as co-producers.

Detail from key art for the stage production The Castle.

The production will be directed by Paige Rattray, whose stage credits include the London season of Fangirls and productions such as Do Not Go Gentle, The Lifespan of a Fact, The Deep Blue Sea and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Sets and costumes will be created by award-winning designer Jonathon Oxlade. Casting will be announced in the coming months.

The announcement comes amid a small but growing wave of stage adaptations of celebrated films. Productions in the works include The Shawshank Redemption, adapted from Stephen King’s novella and Frank Darabont’s film, while The Shark Is Broken – a behind-the-scenes comedy about the making of Jaws. With the recent commercial failure of some high-profile musicals in mind, it perhaps reflects producers’ increasing appetite for screen properties with established audiences.

Producer Michael Cassel said the emotional core of The Castle made it a natural fit for live theatre.

The cast of the 1997 fim The Castle.

Starring Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee and Eric Bana, the film follows tow-truck driver Darryl Kerrigan and his close-knit family as they battle the compulsory acquisition of their modest Melbourne home to make way for airport expansion. Armed initially with the hapless lawyer Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) and his memorable argument about “the vibe” of the Constitution, Darryl ultimately finds an unlikely champion in retired QC Lawrence Hammill (Charles “Bud” Tingwell), who takes the case to the High Court.

“The film miraculously captures the specificities of Australian life and yet feels so universally true,” he said. “It makes you laugh, and then, before you know it, it makes you cry.”

Sitch, Gleisner, Cilauro and Kennedy said they had wanted to adapt The Castle for the stage for more than two decades.

“Our goal was to capture the warmth and humour – dare we say, ‘the vibe’ – of the original story in a way that will resonate with both new audiences and long-time fans alike,” they said.