The full Kerrigan family has been revealed for the Melbourne world premiere, with the season already extended through mid-May 2027 on the back of strong demand.
by Paul Cashmere
Justin Smith and Christie Whelan Browne will head the Kerrigan household in the world premiere stage adaptation of The Castle, opening at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from March 2027. Producers Michael Cassel and Working Dog announced the full principal cast on 19 October 2026, confirming that the season has been extended once more with performances now running through 16 May 2027. The production marks the first time the 1997 film has been adapted for the stage, written by its original creators Rob Sitch, Tom Gleisner, Santo Cilauro and Jane Kennedy.
Victorian Minister for Major Events Anthony Carbines welcomed the news, describing The Castle as one of Australia’s most iconic stories and noting that the world premiere belongs in Melbourne. The cast was introduced to media and industry guests at a special Melbourne event, where the actors stepped into the roles that have become part of the national conversation for nearly three decades.
Smith, known for work including Heartbreak High, The Artful Dodger and Wentworth, takes on the role of family patriarch Darryl Kerrigan. Whelan Browne, whose credits include Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Kimberly Akimbo and All About Eve, plays Sal Kerrigan. Smith said the story has become part of Australia’s DNA. “Darryl’s love for his family, his optimism and his unwavering belief in doing what’s right have resonated with audiences for generations. To step into his shoes and help bring this story to a new audience on stage is an enormous privilege, and one I don’t take lightly.”
Ed Oxenbould makes his professional theatre debut as youngest son and narrator Dale Kerrigan. Joel Jackson plays eldest son Wayne, recent WAAPA graduate Stephanie Graham takes the role of middle child Tracey, and Marcus McKenzie appears as Steve Kerrigan. Roman Delo joins the extended family as Tracey’s husband Con Petropoulous.
Oxenbould, whose screen work includes Puberty Blues, Paper Planes and Wildlife, said the film was a favourite in his household growing up. “Dale sees the world with such sincerity, curiosity and optimism, which is a big part of why audiences have connected with him for so many years. To make my stage debut playing such an iconic Australian character is incredibly exciting.”
Jane Kennedy, co-creator and co-producer, said the casting process prioritised actors who could capture the family’s particular spirit. “One of the reasons The Castle has remained so close to people’s hearts is because Australians see a little bit of themselves in the Kerrigans. They are funny, loyal, optimistic and endlessly devoted to one another. Finding actors who could capture that spirit was incredibly important to us, and from the moment we saw this cast together, we knew we’d found our family.”
Director Paige Rattray, whose credits include the original production of Fangirls and television work on Heartbreak High, highlighted the natural connection within the company. “What excited me most about this company was the genuine sense of connection between them. They bring extraordinary talent, but also the generosity, heart and authenticity that sit at the centre of The Castle. Together they have created a Kerrigan family that feels fresh, while remaining true to everything audiences love about the film.”
The stage version retains the core story of the Kerrigans fighting the compulsory acquisition of their home beneath the flight path while incorporating new material and contemporary references written by the original creative team. The film, released in April 1997 and directed by Rob Sitch, was made for roughly A$750,000 over 11 days in Melbourne and went on to gross more than A$10.3 million at the Australian box office. Its characters, one-liners and understated humour have remained fixtures of Australian popular culture.
Michael Cassel previously described the project as a natural fit for live theatre, citing the film’s ability to capture specific Australian details while speaking to universal themes of family, change and ordinary people standing up for what matters. The Working Dog team had considered a stage version for more than two decades before committing to a fully updated adaptation written in the same collaborative spirit as the original screenplay.
Performances begin at Her Majesty’s Theatre in March 2027. Tickets are on sale now at thecastleonstage.com.au, with the current release covering dates through 16 May 2027.
Dates:
March 2027 – 16 May 2027, Melbourne, Her Majesty’s Theatre
Tickets: thecastleonstage.com.au
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