Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Strange things have happened and it looks like Australia is about to go round the twist. In a blast of childhood nostalgia we didn’t know we needed, popular TV show Round The Twist is being turned into an on-stage musical. This musical adaptation is being produced by RGM Productions, a London-based theatre company. The musical is coming to life thanks to the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund from the government.
RGM Productions is thrilled to announce development & production of ROUND THE TWIST THE MUSICAL after a successful RISE application in Australia. Based on the short stories by Paul Jennings, the cult TV series aired on the BBC in 70 countries over 30 years and is now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/8Z2nfutBkX
— RGM Productions (@RGMProd) September 6, 2021
Round The Twist Musical
Round The Twist was set in an old lighthouse and followed the surreal adventures of a family dealing with supernatural events.
RGM’s Garry McQuinn, who took the Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical to the West End, will produce this adaptation of Round The Twist. Meanwhile, Simon Phillips, with Love Never Dies and Muriel’s Wedding under his belt, will be the director.
“This is a brilliant opportunity to develop a musical based on a true classic of Australian children’s literature and television,” said Phillips. “So many Australians who were entertained by Round The Twist as children are now parents themselves and ready to pass on the joy!”
“Distilling twenty-six episodes of ghost-busting television into just two hours of thrilling musical theatre is no mean feat,” he added. “And the grant will enable us to properly explore all its possibilities and produce a well-honed, action-packed result.”
And what about the music? The iconic theme song that we know and love? That and more is to be expected from writer-composer Paul Hodge.
“I am one of a generation of kids around the world who grew up watching and loving Round The Twist,” said Hodge. “Music has always been a core part of the series. The mystery behind the eerie music playing in the lighthouse underpins the show’s first season and the show’s iconic, unforgettable theme song, written by the amazing Andrew Duffield, will play a key part in the musical adaptation.”
More information about the musical will be announced as production goes underway. Meanwhile, all four seasons of Round The Twist are available to watch on Netflix.