Classic children’s book gets a musical twist

BELOVED Australian children’s book The Wrong Book will find the right stage in July, with a new musical adaptation set to premiere at Geelong Arts Centre.

Written by author Nick Bland, the story has been reimagined by Geelong local Ruth McGurk, who rediscovered the book in 2021 while reading to her children.

“I remember thinking, this is such a great book and it would make a great stage show, because there’s just so much room for chaos,” she said.

McGurk studied theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and has written and performed works around the country.

The idea to adapt The Wrong Book for the stage, she said, had been “bubbling away” since her return to performing, after several years focused on family life.

Once she secured approval from the book’s publisher, Scholastic, she got to work assembling a team who could help bring the story to life.

Her co-star from Geelong Lyric Theatre Society’s production of Mamma Mia, Katie Loxton, will take the lead role of Nicholas Ickle – a boy trying to perform his show amid constant interruptions from other storybook characters.

“[Katie] is such a talented, skilled performer,” McGurk said. “I just know the whole audience can sit back and feel like they’re in good hands with her.”

Loxton said she is thrilled to return to children’s theatre after touring regionally in 2024.

“This is special,” she said. “I am from Geelong and I teach locally, and I have a really strong community of kids and families that I teach.”

McGurk described adapting another writer’s work as “nerve wracking,” but said she feels confident in her team.

“I feel calm and safe knowing that the bunch of creators we have around this are going to make sure it works,” she said.

Directing an entirely local cast and crew will be James Lee, who was McGurk and Loxton’s director in Mamma Mia.

McGurk hopes the show appeals just as much to adults as it does to kids.

“First and foremost, it’s a kids show,” she said. “But I’m really hoping the grownups are going to be laughing along and having just as good a time as the kids.”

McGurk has also written original music for the show, adding new depth to Bland’s tale.

“I love the way adding music helps the audience understand what you’re going for even before any lyrics are sung,” she said.

The Wrong Book Show will be staged at Geelong Arts Centre on 8 and 9 July.