Cast members of the iconic 90s Australian kids TV show Round the Twist reunited recently for the world premiere musical adaptation of the series.
The wildly successful series, based on the short stories of children’s author Paul Jennings, ran for four seasons starting in 1990.
The celebrated fantasy show took home swags of plaudits during its two separate runs – from 1990 – 1992 and from 2000 – 2001 – includiing BAFTA nominations and a Logie for Most Outstanding Children’s Program on Australian Television.
Half a dozen former cast members attended the debut of the new stage musical based on the series at Brisbane‘s QPAC over the weekend.
Among those were Robyn Gibbes (Fay, Season 1 and 2), Eamonn Kelly (Andrew, Season 2), Nick Mitchell (Tiger, Season 2), Cameron Nugent (Tiger, Season 1), Ben Thomas (Pete, Season 2), Jeffrey Walker (Bronson, Season 2), Tamsin West (Linda, Season 2), and Richie Young (James Gribble, Season 2).
Now, Daily Mail Australia takes a look at what the cast of the show look like in 2024.
Jeffrey Walker – Bronson, season 2
Robyn Gibbes – Fay, Season 1 and 2
Eamonn Kelly – Andrew the ‘merman’, Season 2
Cameron Nugent – Tiger, Season 1
Ben Thomas – Pete, Season 2
Tamsin West – Linda, Season 2
Richie Young – James Gribble Season 2
Round The Twist first aired for two seasons in 1990 – 1992, and featured the hilarious and zany misadventures of the Twist family, who lived in regional Victoria.
Veteran Aussie actor Richard Moir, 74, played the head of the household Tony Twist, who frequently dispensed advice to his three children, played by Sam Vandenberg, Tamsin West and Rodney McLennan.
Tamsin West, Joelene Crnogorac, and Ebonnie Masini were all smiles as they appeared together in a rare photo, as they celebrated the ongoing success of their show.
Each of the women played the role of protagonist Linda Twist in different seasons of the beloved television program.
The veteran actresses looked world’s away from the cheeky teenager they portrayed in the hit TV series, with more pronounced facial features and a mature appearance.
However, all three still had the same cheeky grin that Linda was known for.
Melbourne actor Sam Vandenberg played eldest Twist sibling Pete during the first season, and quit his acting career shortly after to become a singer in an 80s cover band.
He now sports a markedly different look to the cheeky teenager he played on the hit series.
The youngest Twist sibling Bronson was played by the talented Rodney McLennan, who first appeared in the series at just 10 years old in 1990.
After guest roles on several popular Australian TV shows such as Neighbours and Ocean Girl, Rodney quit acting and joined the army.
The Brisbane stage production is directed by Simon Phillips and produced by Garry McQuinn, co-founder of RGM talent agency.
It comes as the show was last year voted Australia’s Favourite Kids’ Show.
In a survey of adults who grew up watching Australian-made children’s television, the beloved show won out against other classics such as Play School, Bananas in Pyjamas and Blinky Bill.
The votes were gathered in a project run by Swinburne University of Technology.
The university’s research team examined 542 survey responses and conducted 21 in-depth interviews with adults who were raised on Australian television to gauge the enduring influence of children’s TV.
Nine out of ten survey participants reported that some of their cherished childhood shows were of Australian origin.
The survey highlighted that Round the Twist not only ranked as the respondents’ top choice but also emerged as the show most frequently revisited in their adult years.
Chief Investigator Dr Joanna McIntyre said ‘This study reveals just how significant Australian children’s TV is to the cultural life of our nation. It’s provided a continuing sense of belonging to generations of Australians for more than 60 years.’
