Round The Twist

At last, an Australian musical that is true blue down to its very roots. Those roots are the work of Paul Jennings, our most beloved children’s author, without whom this delightful concoction for kids from 1-100 would never exist.

But it has taken the single-mindedness and multi talents of musical wunderkind Paul Hodge to give us a musical for the ages. It’s not a children’s musical, any more than Matilda (with which it will inevitably be compared) is just for children. It is delightful entertainment for every member of the family.

The book is crisp and pertinent for adults as well as children - the songs are not only upbeat and hummable but they actually advance story and character - something that seems to have been lost of late. And at its core (heart) are values of decency and family. Something we desperately need in the world right now. Bravo Paul – I have no idea how you top this.

Round The Twist loosely follows a collection of Jennings stories about the Twist family, who leave the city for a sea change and a new home in a haunted lighthouse. You don’t need to know more of the plot than that. In fact, it’s probably better that you just suspend disbelief and lose yourself to the magic … and there is magic aplenty.

Director Simon Phillips gives us some of his finest work to date. It would be just as easy to go Over The Top with Round The Twist, but he exercises subtlety, especially when the action is at its most gross. He also handles his cast with deft assurance and fine crisp blocking. The entire production is loaded with energy and confidence, and a variety of standout performances that exceed all possible expectations.

I have yet to see veteran Matt Hetherington give a bad performance and he doesn’t let anyone down this time. As Tony Twist, his wealth of experience allows him to be the glue that holds the story together and, as always, his natural charm and charisma endears him to the audience. The voice might not be quite as sweet as it was a decade ago, but the depth he finds, in both credibility and stage presence, in what might have been a two-dimensional character, more than compensates for that. As his love interest (and the children’s teacher) Fay James, Liz Buchanan is a delight and always believable.

Brian Probets, in a variety of roles (but most specifically Dead Ned) comes close to stealing every scene he appears in. It’s hard not to be in awe of his astonishing body of work and he can add another triumph to his credits.

The multi award winning Christen O’Leary gives memorable performances in the key roles of Nell Rickards and the ghost of Claire King, and the Gribbles are beautifully played by Tarita Botsman (wow, the top notes of this operatic soprano are both unexpected and jaw dropping) and the multi-faceted David James who has delighted us across so many genres for many years.

And so to the “Kids” component. Eldest Twist child Pete is given great energy and a fresh perspective from local Hanlon Innocent, who wasn’t even born when Jennings wrote the books and yet totally embodies all that is Pete. He will no doubt go on to bigger productions but this performance will always be a standout. Charly Oakly is perfect as Linda Twist and her scenes with almost boy friend Andrew Shelford (Alexander Tye - an actor of great charm) are warm and charming.

The three bullies  - Tiger, James Gribble and Rabbit - are deliciously played with great comic ability by the amazingly charismatic Carla Beard, Nic Van Lits (always impressive) and the delightfully doltish Carlo Boumouglbay, while Taylah Johns is beautifully cast as Pete’s love interest Fiona (I’m still chuckling over the lipstick routine).

Laura Rainieri makes a beautiful mermaid, exquisitely realized.

The ensemble is excellent, as we would expect, but a true star was born at this World Premiere. As youngest Twist child Bronson, Edison AI is only 10 years old (though he has been acting since he was 4) and this is his professional debut. It’s fair to say that the show stands or falls on his mammoth performance. Well, this show doesn’t just stand, it flies around the entire theatre and takes us with it, thanks to the astonishing work of Edison, who unashamedly owns the stage every time he appears and nails the comic timing of every line. It’s a bravura performance, which earned him his own standing ovation.

But, with all deference, what makes the show the standout that it is, is all on the technical side. Craig Wilkinson’s astonishing video design - part cartoon, part fantasy, plus heightened reality, is the very heart of the show and sets mood and place to perfection as well as driving the peripatetic energy of every scene. It complements Renee Mulder’s great design to perfection. Wilkinson is one of those rare creatures who can reinterpret theatre craft for a new century and make AV as real as the chairs we sit on. He is an absolute master of his craft.

Then add the great Andrew Hallsworth’s simple but effective choreography. Ben Hughes impressive lighting design and James Dobinson’s musical direction, with orchestration by Neil Douglas Reilly, played by a terrific band, and you have what every production company strives for - ultimate entertainment.

Round The Twist deserves to be a world wide smash hit and we should all give three cheers - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie …. Wow, Wow, Wow.

Coral Drouyn

Production photos by Lyndon Mechielsen