Looking for Alibrandi — HOTA, Home of the Arts and Brink Productions

Overview

Round the Twist isn't the only favourite from 90s childhoods and beyond that's following the path from page to screen to the stage of late. Back in 2022, Looking for Alibrandi took the same route, adapting the Melina Marchetta book that's been devoured by teenagers for three decades, and then received the movie treatment in 2000. Melbourne and Sydney audiences saw the results at the time — and come 2025, it's southeast Queensland's turn.

Playing HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast from Thursday, June 19–Saturday, June 21, 2025, Looking for Alibrandi will still chart the same multi-generational story that it has always told no matter the format, with 17-year-old Sydney student Josie at its centre. She's in her last year of school, dreaming of a bright future and trying to navigate the clash of cultures that comes with being Italian Australian. She also gets to know her dad, and falls in love for the first time.

In cinemas, Pia Miranda (Windcatcher) played Josephine Alibrandi. When the tale first hit the stage, Chanella Macri (Australian Realness) followed in her footsteps, with Looking for Alibrandi also starring Lucia Mastrantone and Jennifer Vuletic (Because The Night) as the show's fellow Alibrandi women.

Director Stephen Nicolazzo (Loaded, Merciless Gods) has been guiding this stage version of the best-selling book to theatres, as adapted by Vidya Rajan — based on Marchetta's novel, of course.

Expect passata made live, both Italian classics and Aussie pop on the soundtrack, and a show full of heart.

Images: Daniel Boud.