Looking For Alibrandi author allows new theatre production of the beloved novel

Looking For Alibrandi author allows new theatre production of the beloved novel

Looking For Alibrandi author allows new theatre production of the beloved novel after ‘fiercely guarding’ the story for over twenty years following the release of smash hit film adaption

Melina Marchetta has finally allowed a stage adaption to be made of her beloved 1992 novel, Looking For Alibrandi. 

The Australian author’s book was made into a hugely popular film in 2000, but according to The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday, she has ‘fiercely guarded’ the story since, before being convinced to allow a new theatrical production. 

Marchetta was talked round by director Stephen Nicolazzo, who helms a production to be held at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre this month before heading to the Belvoir in Sydney.

Looking For Alibrandi author allows new theatre production of the beloved novel

Melina Marchetta (pictured) has finally allowed a stage adaption to be made of her beloved 1992 novel, Looking For Alibrandi

Italian-Samoan actress Chanella Macri stars as Josie, the lead role held by Pia Miranda in the film. 

The author says she had hesitated in allowing further adaptions as, ‘You don’t want it to move away from the spirit of that original.’ 

She has however given the theatre adaption her ringing endorsement. 

The Australian author's book was made into a hugely popular film in 2000, but she has 'fiercely guarded' the story since, before being convinced to allow a new theatrical production. Pictured are Greta Scacchi, Elena Cotta and Pia Miranda in a scene from the  film

The Australian author’s book was made into a hugely popular film in 2000, but she has ‘fiercely guarded’ the story since, before being convinced to allow a new theatrical production. Pictured are Greta Scacchi, Elena Cotta and Pia Miranda in a scene from the  film 

Marchetta was talked round by director Stephen Nicolazzo, who helms a production to be held at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre this month before heading to the Belvoir in Sydney. Pia Miranda, Elena Cotta and Greta Scacchi are pictured in the 2000 film

Marchetta was talked round by director Stephen Nicolazzo, who helms a production to be held at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre this month before heading to the Belvoir in Sydney. Pia Miranda, Elena Cotta and Greta Scacchi are pictured in the 2000 film 

‘It didn’t step away from the sassiness or the energy of Alibrandi, but it was its own animal,’ Marchett told The Sydney Morning Herald.

In 2020, twenty years after the release of the film Looking for Alibrandi, stars Pia, 49, and Kick Gurry, 44, revealed to Today Extra that they would be keen to appear in a sequel. 

The actors were asked if they’d ever consider revisiting the cherished characters, and Kick admitted, ‘I’m in if Pia’s in.’   

‘Yeah, me too. I’d love to revisit those characters again. I think it’s just a beautiful thing’ Pia agreed. 

In 2020, twenty years after the release of the film Looking for Alibrandi, stars Pia and Kick Gurry (pictured) revealed to Today Extra that they would be keen to appear in a sequel

In 2020, twenty years after the release of the film Looking for Alibrandi, stars Pia and Kick Gurry (pictured) revealed to Today Extra that they would be keen to appear in a sequel 

In an interview with Who magazine, Pia said she always felt like they were creating ‘something special’ while making the movie.

‘There was times you could just feel we were making something special. You couldn’t put your finger on it, but you just knew it,’ she said.

Pia won an Australian Film Institute Award (AFI) in the Best Actress category for her portrayal of third generation migrant, Josephine Alibrandi. 

The actors were asked if they'd ever consider revisiting the cherished characters, and Kick admitted, 'I'm in if Pia's in.' Pia (pictured) agreed: 'Yeah, me too. I'd love to revisit those characters again. I think it's just a beautiful thing'

 The actors were asked if they’d ever consider revisiting the cherished characters, and Kick admitted, ‘I’m in if Pia’s in.’ Pia (pictured) agreed: ‘Yeah, me too. I’d love to revisit those characters again. I think it’s just a beautiful thing’

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