Presented by: Galleon Theatre Group
Reviewed: 2 May, 2025
Galleon Theatre Group are well known for their high quality productions but their latest, Wrong Turn At Lungfish is of exceptional quality and an unmitigated stand out!!
The play, written by Garry Marshall (TV series The Lucy Show, The Odd Couple, Happy Days) and Lowell Ganz (Happy Days, Night Shift, Splash), is a well written dramatic comedy/comedic drama. Focusing on a blind University Dean, Peter Ravenswall (Tony Busch), who has been hospitalized and near death, and his volunteer book reader, Anita Meredino (Dora Stamos), the play brings these two complete opposites together eventually finding common ground. The curious title refers to the evolution of Humankind and is explained well in the script – so go see the play.
After quite a break from theatre, Rosie Aust has returned to show that she has lost none of her skill when it comes to directing. If there’s a laugh to be had or a tear to be shed, Aust has found them all. Being a fairly wordy play, Aust also makes sure that there is movement happening all the time, even in the tiniest facial inflections of the cast. Her tight direction is carried out on a fantastic “private hospital room” set (complete with an authentic hospital bed – trust this reviewer, he has had extensive experience with the real thing) designed by Aust, Kym Clayton and Michael Ralph, and appropriately dressed by Properties Coordinator Elaine Latcham.
The entire set and production is wonderfully lit by Trish Winfield’s beautiful lighting design. The very end vision of the play is absolutely stunning lighting and acting wise.
Speaking of acting, there is really only one word that can describe Busch and Stamos’ performances – MAGNIFICENT!!
Busch is another person who has had a hiatus from theatre but doesn’t show it in his phenomenal performance as the blind, irascible Ravenswall. This reviewer knows and has acted with this actor and never once did I find myself thinking he wasn’t blind. Busch has obviously researched blindness and has it down pat every second that he is on stage and that is most of the play. We watch his every move and listen to his every word; that’s how compelling he is. Stamos gives an equally compelling performance as street-wise Anita. This performance definitely shows why she was awarded last year’s title of Best Performer In A Play from the Theatre Association of South Australia. Looking every inch Fran Drescher (but with more realism), Stamos enchants and enthralls us from her very first entrance (where she doesn’t even say a word). Standing ovation worthy performances from both.
Busch and Stamos are more than ably supported by Tianna Cooper as the Nurse and Wade Cook as Anita’s no-hoper boyfriend Dominic De Caesar. Cooper gives the nurse a nice bite to the character whilst still managing to show a soft side occasionally. Considering this is Cook’s first non-musical (they are very different acting animals, trust me), he does quite well. His first appearance seemed a bit too restrained and slightly shy, but the rest of his appearances had the aggression and power required to match his stereotypical “hoodlum” uniform of all black clothing bar the required white tee-shirt.
Please take the wrong turn and detour to this tour-de-force production. You won’t be sorry.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre
Season: Until 10 May 2025
Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins including a 20 min interval
Tickets: $25 – $28
Bookings: https://marion.online.red61.com.au/event/318:771
More News
