Have you ever, ever felt like this?
A new musical based on an old ABC children’s favourite will send audiences delightfully round the twist.
The world premiere of a play based on Paul Jennings’ 'Round The Twist' stories is exactly what the world needs right now: free-range kids, celebrations of difference and the triumph of good over evil! While the show tells a new 'Round The Twist' story for newcomers to the series, there are wonderful easter eggs peppered throughout for older millennials who grew up with the show. They will recognise characters and the nods to established storylines, adding a whole layer to the play for those in the know.
While staying true to the source material, the play brings new life and a new audience to the Twist family. The staging, for example, is genius. The set itself is a plain white background, with an elevated platform for the lighthouse. The ground and upper floor of the lighthouse open to reveal the attic and studio sets. The genius is in video designer Craig Wilkinson’s animated projection onto the set.
Image © Lyndon Mechielsen
The projected animation not only transports the audience around fictional Port Niranda, it also brings the magical, supernatural weirdness of Jennings’ stories to life. There are so many details in the animation to delight audiences, and it entrances both adults and kids alike. While it is particularly effective for the supernatural elements, it works really well for creating a bright, fun and joyful world for the audience to visit.
For bringing the Twist family and friends/enemies to life, the casting is pretty perfect. The kids are the stars of the show, and if Charly Oakley (Linda) and Hanlon Innocent (Pete) are anything to go by, Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium acting programme is world-class. The MVP on opening night, however, is one thousand per cent Edison Ai as youngest sibling Bronson. Making his stage debut at just ten years old, Edison captures hearts with his quirky, confident and stinky portrayal – Up the Pong!
Theatre veterans David James (Harold Gribble) and Christen O’Leary (Nell) give the cast heft, while Tarita Botsman’s (Matron Gribble) opera training gives the songs an entertaining and surprising high trill.
Head out and see 'Round The Twist' with the whole family – adults of a certain generation will love it – and let’s send the play not only Round The Twist, but round Australia and the rest of the world too!
