Ginger Meggs – A new Australian musical set to debut in 2012

One of the most iconic and enduring characters in Australian pop culture, the cheeky redhead Ginger Meggs, will be transformed into the subject of a new Australian musical set to debut later this year.

In a recent conversation AussieTheatre.com, celebrated performer and former CEO of Kookaburra National Music Theatre Company Peter Cousens revealed that he has been working on the project for over two years, and that the family musical will have a Sydney opening before the year is out.

“It is so iconic I am surprised it hasn’t been done before,” Cousens said. “It is perfect as a family musical and I cannot wait to see it presented on stage.”

Ginger Meggs first came to life over ninety years ago as a comic strip in the Sydney Sun newspaper created by Jimmy Bancks, and the comic is still published in many Australian papers today. The comic follows the exploits of the devious but good-hearted Meggs and his various run-ins with his parents, teachers, and schoolyard chums.

In 1982 director Jonathan Dawson released the Ginger Meggs movie, starring Garry McDonald and John Wood. Last year the larrikin twelve year old was featured on a coin to commemorate ninety years in the Australian consciousness.

While we have to wait until later this year for more information, we’re confident it’s going to be worth the wait.

What other Australian characters would you like to see on the stage?