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Two beloved children’s TV classics hit the stage

A musical adaptation of Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers will have its world premiere in Brisbane just weeks after Round The Twist The Musical wraps its first season in the same city.

After several years in development, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers – The Musical will take the stage at Brisbane Powerhouse for a limited opening season from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 January 2025.

Premiering in 1997, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers is another beloved Australian children’s television classic. It was produced by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) and the Melbourne based animation studio of Peter Viska, Viskatoons. Set in the iconic outback town of Wannapoo, Australia, it tells the story of a young Australian boy found as a baby inside a guitar case and raised to believe he is the son of the legendary Elvis Presley.

Producer Tim Loydell has brought together a remarkable team, including actor and writer James Millar, known for his remarkable portrayal of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, quick-witted comedian Steph Tisdell, Darwin-based playwright Rachael Chisholm, and Glenn Moorhouse, the musical director behind American Idiot.

Director Madison Thew-Keyworth said: “Like so many others, I grew up watching this cartoon; the songs, characters and landscapes are lodged deep within my childhood memories and to have the privilege of unpacking and reimagining them for stage has been an amazing experience.”

The premiere run of Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers – The Musical takes place just weeks after the world premiere season of Round The Twist The Musical.

Round the Twist the Musical, created and composed by Paul Hodge and directed by Simon Phillips, brings to life the unforgettable characters and iconic storylines of the children’s series Round the Twist, which was based on the seminal short stories of legendary Australian author Paul Jennings.

The show is being staged by Queensland Theatre in partnership with QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre). Opening in November, its initial run has been extended by a week due to its popularity.

Both shows, labours of love developed by fans of the original series, demonstrate that the shows we watch as children leave an indelible mark on our memories; the stories, characters and worlds that they inhabit become a part of who we are and can stay with us for life.

Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers – the Musical is on at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 10 – 19 January 2025. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

Round The Twist The Musical is on at the QPAC Playhouse from 12 November – 8 December 2024. Tickets are available from QPAC.