Galleon Theatre Group’s production of Wrong Turn at Lungfish, directed by Rosie Aust, is a tender, funny, and well-crafted piece of theatre that strikes a beautiful balance between laughter and heartache. Written by Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz, this play explores unlikely connections and the power of compassion in unexpected places.
At the heart of the production are Peter Ravenswaal, a once-prominent Dean of a liberal arts college who has recently lost his sight, and Anita Merendino, a cheerful, streetwise volunteer who reads to the blind. Tony Busch, as Ravenswaal, delivered a performance layered with vulnerability beneath his character’s crabby exterior. Busch’s portrayal of blindness was utterly natural—never once did it feel forced or inauthentic—allowing the audience to fully invest in his character’s emotional struggle as he faces death.
The chemistry between Busch and Stamos was palpable, making their evolving relationship entirely believable. Their scenes crackled with both humour and tenderness, drawing the audience into their growing bond. Watching Anita and Peter gradually peel back each other’s layers—learning, sparring, and eventually caring—was deeply satisfying. The play touches on themes that feel urgent today, including domestic violence, coercive control, and the ongoing struggle against patriarchal systems. Ravenswaal’s speech about the oligarchs controlling the world and especially control over women, felt uncomfortably and importantly relevant in our current era.
The student nurse, played by Tianna Cooper, showed both visible exasperation at her difficult patient with a genuine sense of duty and care when it mattered most. Wade Cook, as Dominic De Caesar, Anita’s menacing boyfriend, brought an aggressive edge to his scenes, with convincingly forceful physicality and anger. I felt there was room for greater subtlety in his portrayal, and at times his accent was inconsistent, which occasionally distracted from an otherwise tense performance.
The set, designed by Rosie Aust, Kym Clayton, and Michael Ralph, was simple yet highly effective. From the hospital bed and tray to the cleverly placed doors—a bathroom door giving us just a glimpse inside, and another leading out to the hallway—every detail grounded the world in realism. The shuttered windows were an inspired touch, not only completing the look but providing an ideal canvas for evocative lighting.
Lighting design by Trish Winfield, executed with Andrew Clark, was a standout feature. The windows allowed for smooth shifts from daytime to night, with a particularly well-crafted sunset effect that felt natural and atmospheric. One of the true highlights came at the end of the play: as the story reached its emotional conclusion, the lighting drew focus onto Ravenswaal and Merendino, slowly condensing before fading away with Ravenswaal’s life. It was an elegant, poignant visual that perfectly matched the mood.
Director Rosie Aust handled the material with great sensitivity, allowing both the humour and the raw emotion to breathe. The pacing was well-judged, with natural slowdowns in tempo where needed to let moments land. There was only one scene change where a slightly longer blackout seemed to break the flow, but otherwise, the rhythm of the piece kept the audience fully engaged. Aust’s direction invited the audience into the room as if we were flies on the wall, observing the unfolding of something deeply human and relatable.
Wrong Turn at Lungfish is a rare gem that deftly combines humour with heartfelt emotion, and Galleon Theatre Group’s production captured both beautifully. Anchored by the stellar performances of Tony Busch and Dora Stamos, whose chemistry was the heart of the show, this production had me laughing out loud while also touching on themes that feel incredibly relevant today. With a clever set, thoughtful lighting, and direction that balanced comedy with heart, it was a thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre. If you’re looking for a production that will make you laugh, think, and leave you with a smile, this is one you won’t want to miss.
