Brisbane Powerhouse is thrilled to announce the world premiere of Li’l Elvis and the Truckstoppers, bringing the beloved animated TV series to life, blending nostalgia with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll. Kicking 2025 off with a bang, this live musical adventure will take the stage for a limited opening season from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 January 2025.
Long before Bluey took over the world, another completely original Australian animated show was breaking new ground. First developed in the 1990’s as a joint venture between Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Viskatoons, and aired on ABC TV, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers is a story that resonates deeply with themes of identity, community and music’s transcendent power.
The story follows a multicultural group of children and their adventures in outback Australia. Li’l Elvis Jones lives in the tiny outback town of Wannapo where ten years prior, an old guitar case was left at Grace ‘n’ Len’s Roadhouse. Inside was a baby swaddled in a rhinestone-studded wrap. Dedicated Elvis fans, Grace and Len Jones adopted the boy and named him Li’l Elvis.
Li’l Elvis and his two friends, Lionel Dexter (didgeridoo) and Janet Rig (drums), form the band The Truckstoppers, and the storyline follows their adventures playing Didgibilli rock and getting about their outback town.
The star-studded original cast included Nick Giannopoulos (The Wog Boy trilogy, Acropolis Now and Wogs At Work), Michael Veitch and Marg Downey (The D-Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal), Tom E Lewis (The Chant Of Jimmie Blacksmith), and celebrated singer-songwriter and actor Wendy Stapleton among others. The production team even included a young Rove McManus!
Brought to life by a national team of creatives with support from the original series writers and producers, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers – The Musical offers a chance to share this iconic story with a new generation.
Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers tickets | Brisbane Powerhouse | Ticketek Australia
