The new Australian musical, Round the Twist made its world premiere at Queensland Performing Arts Centre on Friday night. Based on books by the UK-born, Australian author Paul Jennings, this adaptation to musical format is by Paul Hodge. Simon Phillips (Muriel’s Wedding The Musical) is director.

Round the Twist was a popular TV series when it was first screened in the 1989. It went on to air in 70 countries and win major awards. Jennings, who was scriptwriter for the televised series, is also author of the Goosebumps books which were read by many – including me.

Round the Twist The Musical. Photo © Lyndon Mechielsen

This good-fun musical focuses on the Twist family. Sculptor Tony (played here by Matt Hetherington) and his three kids, Pete, Linda and Bronson (Hanlon Innocent, Charlie Oakley and, on opening night, the show-stealing young performer Edison Ai), have just moved into the living quarters of an old lighthouse.

Unsolved mysteries and strange hauntings abound at the lighthouse. In a prior era, it failed to prevent a shipwreck, and the historic spirits remain restless and unhappy. Upstairs, an unseen spirit plays the clarinet and a...