Long before Bluey became the world’s most significant children’s cultural export, in the late 80s to very early 2000s, there were four seasons of the Australian children’s comedy Round the Twist. Having grown up as a child of the 90s, I vividly recall kipping on the couch many weekday evenings at 5 pm, tuning into ABC, and seeing what unusual events were happening to the Twist family and their coastal town of Port Niranda that episode. While enough time has passed that most of my memories are now confined to the iconic theme song, this series was developed by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and features tales by one of my favourite authors growing up – Paul Jennings – despite only a 52 episode run it has a lasting legacy that was ripe for a spin-off or fresh take on it, hopefully by a company who appreciated the source material and would not milk it for simply profits.
While a fittingly fresh take on Round the Twist would not eventuate until 2024, it finally did over the last month with Queensland Theatre hosting the world premiere of Round the Twist the Musical at the QPAC Playhouse. With direction by Simon Phillips and a book, music and lyrics by Paul Hodge, both acclaimed Australian creatives in their own right, it truly captured the essence of what made the show great in the first place and embraced its very 90s approach to comedy and drama. But I’d argue that most of all, the creative team did what many TV show-to-stage adaptations struggle to do: deliver an experience that is fresh and faithful, not just a simple recreation of the series’ greatest hits.
Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts and just a hectic schedule this past month, I was unable to attend a performance early in its month-and-a-bit-long season. Instead, I ended up attending the final performance of its world premiere. Initially, this was merely just out of my own interest rather than for any review. Yet, the more I watched, the more I realised that a review would not be for naught, as I see this as being an impeccably designed musical just as enriching as its source material, which I could very well see touring Australia in 2025 or beyond.
The story of Round the Twist: The Musical skillfully bridges the gap between the nostalgic whimsy of the original TV series and a compelling theatrical experience that stands firmly on its own. At its heart, the narrative revolves around the Twist family—widowed artist Tony and his children Pete, Linda, and Bronson—as they trade city life for the rustic charm of a coastal lighthouse in Port Niranda. The lighthouse is not just their new home but a character in its own right, steeped in supernatural mysteries and brimming with eccentric spirits. This relocation sets the stage for a delightfully absurd yet emotionally resonant adventure where the Twists grapple with family dynamics, battle a greedy developer and their offspring, and uncover long-buried secrets—all while encountering ghosts, mermaids, and a haunted toilet.
Fans of the TV show will recognise several beloved storylines, adapted and interwoven into Round the Twist the Musical’s plot. Iconic episodes such as Without My Pants, Smelly Feat, and Nails are reimagined with a theatrical flair that pays homage to the show’s irreverent humour and quirky charm. Unlike some stage adaptations which would attempt to play these out as standalone vignettes almost to the point of being a highlights reel, each of these contributes instead to an original overarching experience that comfortably weaves key elements of the episodes into something that could be beloved to newcomers and long-time fans alike, and surprisingly, incorporates the series’ iconic theme song into the mix as well. Most importantly, the narrative captures Paul Jennings’ signature blend of the surreal, whimsical and relatable, staying true to his unique storytelling style while crafting a cohesive narrative that fits the stage.
What truly elevates the musical is its respect for the original series’ themes and tone. While younger audiences may revel in the slapstick humour and supernatural oddities (and a meme that I heard non-stop during the interval from every second child screaming it out in the foyer), the narrative also offers layers of depth for older viewers, with themes of grief, environmental preservation, and the resilience of family bonds balancing well against the eccentric elements. Furthermore, even some of the aspects that have been done to death in modern pop culture (farts and bad smells for example), all feel much more tolerable when drawn back into an era where, in moderation, it was fresh and done in a manner where it is not just ‘hur hur, I farted’.
Complementing the narrative was some superb casting on behalf of the creative team and Queensland Theatre, with in many cases it looking like the characters of the original TV show had stepped out of the television and onto the stage. At the core of the production are the Twist siblings, who in this world premiere season saw Hanlon Innocent as Pete Twist, Charly Oakley as Linda Twist and three young Queensland boys in the role of Bronson Twist – Luka Sero, Edison Ai and Sebastian Sero (Whom I am pretty sure filled the role during the performance I attended). The dynamic of the trio on stage was strong, performing together well and encapsulating the mannerisms and personalities of their respective characters, in addition to having good elocution which meant every word they spoke or sung was crisp, clear and understandable.
The other members of the principal and ensemble cast were equally strong, from the warm yet eccentric Tony Twist performed by Matt Hetherington, to the touching performance of Liz Buchanan as Fay James, and David James as Harold Gribble who – having seen him perform in multiple roles previously, was suited perfectly to the character. I think the only issue with the casting, and this is more about the adaptation process, is that many of the secondary characters barely get any chance to shine in the plot, perhaps leaving those less familiar with Round the Twist as to why they were included. While a potential national tour would likely see a fresh slate of auditions and potentially a completely new cast, if the world premiere cast of Round the Twist the Musical were all retained, I would love to see them again!
With this being Round the Twist the Musical, what about the soundtrack? While you of course have the original theme song composed by Andrew Duffield which has been promoted from theme song to pivotal plot point – the remainder of the soundtrack is unique, opting for original songs over potentially being a 90s disco musical. Paul Hodge’s compositions blend humour, heart, and a touch of the absurd, delivering a score that is as memorable as it is meaningful. The songs range from toe-tapping numbers involving the whole ensemble to group songs which are musical earworms leaving audiences humming away well after the show, to some solo songs, encapsulating each character’s personality and role in solving the mystery well. While the original TV show was not a musical, if it were, these were the songs I could imagine going quite well in the episodes.
The staging and digital design of Round the Twist: The Musical is nothing short of mesmerising, transforming the QPAC Playhouse into the whimsical, slightly eerie world of Port Niranda. The set design comes from Renée Mulder, who has been behind the set/costume designs of a range of productions in recent years, including but not limited to Sydney Theatre Company’s Julia and Queensland Theatre’s Boy Swallows Universe. On first impression, it is rather simplistic, a digital screen backdrop with a range of props that can move in and out based on what each scene necessitates. But as the musical progresses, the digital backdrop folds out and takes audiences into the interior of the iconic lighthouse. While simple, it is executed effectively. However, it’s Craig Wilkinson’s video projections on the digital screens that truly steal the show, elevating the production into something that is both timeless in design and modern in execution. The animation style is Monty Python-esque, making each transition and backdrop feel unique but integrated in a style that is very Round the Twist. Were Round the Twist to be a modern TV show, I could imagine this being the transition and animation style they went with, akin to the very 90s effects that were implemented back then.
While Queensland Theatre doesn’t dabble in musical theatre as much as their other state theatre company counterparts, whenever they do, these are clear passion projects that have much love put into them. While Ladies in Black was always a highlight for me out of their musical repertoire, and while nostalgia may play a factor in this, Round the Twist the Musical proved to be their strongest offering yet – and one I would very much like to see receive a broader national tour (on top of a rerun in Queensland please!). It successfully honours the quirky charm of Paul Jennings’ original stories and the beloved TV series, while crafting a fresh and engaging experience for new and seasoned audiences alike. With its rich narrative, exceptional casting, memorable music, and mesmerising staging and digital designs, the production achieves a balance of an original heartfelt story and the show’s iconic approach to comedy which makes it a thrill for older and younger audiences alike. Whether you’re a millennial reliving childhood memories or a newcomer to the world of the Twists, this musical is a joyous celebration of family, community, and the strange magic that makes life unpredictable and extraordinary. My younger self, and myself today, are both delighted about how Round the Twist the Musical has turned out!
Final Score for Round the Twist the Musical
Sadly, the world premiere season of Round the Twist the Musical at the QPAC Playhouse has now concluded, but keep an eye out for (hopefully) an encore tour in the future.
Check out what Queensland Theatre has in store for their 2025 Season!
