Architect turned television host McCloud’s mix of design insight and brow-furrowed concern at the equally preposterous and inspired ways affluent Brits spend their money has helped make Grand Designs a global sensation and ABC television staple with numerous local spinoffs around the world. But, aside from perhaps its Kiwi cousin, none has quite matched the heights of the McCloud-led original.
Of course, it remains to be seen how a stage show can possibly convey the ultimate Kevin McCloud experience all Grand Design viewers secretly yearn for: to have McCloud shake his head with disbelief as he walks through your half-finished, behind-schedule dream build while you explain how you’ve left your day job to take over project management yourself. That always ends well.
Walter is a writer and editor living on Kaurna Country.