Griffith Goes Round The Twist

Queensland Theatre is rounding out its 2024 Season with the fresh yet nostalgic musical reimagining of the beloved Australian classic, Round The Twist. Entering the 22nd year of partnership between Griffith University and Queensland Theatre, seven Griffith alumni were cast in this seaside musical. These young artists were given the opportunity to not only make a splash on stage but be a part of the show's development. The musical features stories originally written by Australian author Paul Jennings, and is adapted for the stage by award-winning, writer-composer Paul Hodge.

The partnership between Griffith University and Queensland Theatre has proven incredibly rewarding. Both organisations make space for creativity and new work, fostering a love of theatre through education and a commitment to the arts. The opportunities the collaboration provides are at the core of The Bachelor of Musical Theatre program, which is led by Musical Theatre Director, Professor Paul Sabey.

“For (Griffith) to be involved in the creation of new work is so exciting because we're now seeing it appear on stage, the result of those many years of developing this work” said Professor Paul Sabey.

Professor Sabey says their professional development begins at the Queensland Arts Performing Centre (QPAC), where students from the program gain their most valuable knowledge.

“Swiping a stage door each day at their home here at QPAC, they learn so much more than you can teach, (things) you can’t teach from a book or a lecture. They live it here, they’re having lunch and dinner with casts of whatever shows are on.” said Professor Sabey.

Griffith’s musical theatre program is currently one of the only in the world based in a major arts centre. The move provides students with unequal opportunity to eat, sleep and breathe musical theatre.

This year, seven talented Griffith alumni were hand-picked for Queensland Theatre’s production of Round The Twist The Musical. The show is set in the fictitious coastal town of Port Niranda, where the Twist family find a new home in a seemingly unassuming old lighthouse. They soon find out there is a musical mystery afoot and must solve it before the proposed destruction of their new home. The play explores themes of love, grief and self-acceptance whilst still being able to be endearing; capturing a similar goofiness the original had in bounds. Directed by the renowned Simon Phillips (Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, Ladies in Black), this play not only captures your heart, it makes it difficult not to sing along.

The heart of the show lies with the Twist family. Among them are two shining stars in Charly Oakely, who plays the pragmatic and warmhearted eldest daughter Linda Twist, and Hanlon Innocent who plays the hilariously sweet big brother Pete Twist. For Charly Oakley aged 21, Round The Twist The Musical is their career debut. Charly expressed that working with new material is “wildly different” from an established show.

“Every element is constantly up in the air and has the capacity to evolve and change at any given moment. Whilst that constant change has been challenging at times, it has also been the greatest creative reward. By the end of the initial rehearsal process, some songs had been completely rewritten or re-structured up to 10 times” said Charly.

However, these changes and adaptations of the script resulted in something even more memorable for Charly.

“There are so many moments in this show that have been created from the unique quirks and impulses of the actors originating these roles. Now, it feels like we all have a little bit of our DNA imprinted upon this iconic show. That is a pinch-me moment for sure.”

For Hanlon Innocent, Round The Twist The Musical is not his career debut, the 24-year-old Tasmanian native graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2021. He credits much of his early career success to his time at Griffith University.

“Technical ability, understanding of how to be a good company member, and, most importantly, what it means to get your hands dirty and create something. The last one is most specific to a piece like this where we’re creating these characters (basically) from the ground up.”

Hanlon’s experience in seeing a live theatre production develop, with industry superstar Simon Phillips at the helm, has been a highlight for him whilst working for Queensland Theatre.

“Simon Phillips is the best dramaturg of musicals in the country, and to see him lead our killer team of creatives through this process has been astounding. Also, spending time with the more experienced actors of the company. Their eyes for comedy are finely tuned and I’ve taken full advantage of their wealth of knowledge.”

Round The Twist The Musical takes great care in exploring the theme of self-acceptance. This is where Griffith alumni Alexander Tye takes centre stage, playing the enigmatic gloved student, Andrew Shelford. Aged 22, Alexander graduated last year feeling fully geared up for a successful career in theatre.

“The course’s highly practical nature equipped me with the technical performance skills and abilities to be able to fulfil my role in Round the Twist The Musical. What makes Griffith University unique is the outstanding teachers and mentors throughout the course that help you take that leap from student to professional.”

Alexander is one of the five supporting cast members in the production hailing from Griffith, in addition to Nic Van Lits, who plays James Gribble, Carlo Boumouglbay playing Rabbit and Carla Beard playing Tiger - all members of the troublesome Gribble Gang, the antagonists of the story. Caleb Monk rounds the supporting cast in a swing role, ready to take on multiple characters at the drop of a hat.

The partnership between Griffith University and Queensland Theatre is not only about keeping theatre alive but creating environments for actors and crew alike to thrive and feel supported.

“(Queensland Theatre) has been incredible, this company has been a real joy to work for…Something really special about this show is that every single person is contributing something to the cog in this machine…We are crafting this blueprint together, so it feels like there’s an organic and sincere desire to help each other and be of service to each other” said Charly Oakley.

Both organisations will continue this brilliant collaboration for future projects. Next year is set to have more promising opportunities for up-and-coming artists. However, for now, Round The Twist The Musical is the perfect show to close out the season, a timeless story of family, love and self-acceptance wrapped up in musical magic. Be sure to catch the show before it closes on 8 December 2024.

By Isabella Grellman

Round The Twist The Musical is now playing at the Playhouse, QPAC until 8 December 2024.