WRONG TURN AT LUNGFISH St Jude's Players St Jude's Hall (Grundy Hall) Until 12 Apr 2014 Review by Linda Edwards “Wrong Turn at Lungfish” is a 1993 play written by two masters of TV sitcoms and films: Garry Marshall (perhaps best known as the creator of “Happy Days,” “Mork and Mindy,” and as writer of a host of other TV shows, films and plays), and Lowell Ganz (writer for the TV show “The Odd Couple” and films such as “City Slickers” and “Liar, Liar.”) With such experienced writers, it could be expected that this play would be a well-written, thoughtful, and funny experience – and that is exactly what it is. Peter Ravenswaal (Tony Busch) is an ex-University professor who is in a New York hospital suffering from a disease that has taken his sight and will soon take his life, and he is visited by Anita Merendino (Lana Adamuszek), who reads his favourite books and poems to him and tells him tales of her life with her boyfriend, who beats people up for a living. Peter is a grumpy, articulate and frightened man, and Anita is a cheerful and optimistic storyteller, who is nowhere near as dumb as she thinks she is. The unlikely pairing of these two characters, who are worlds apart and yet develop a relationship (reminiscent of course of Pygmalion), makes for good comedy and some great one-liners, along with references to philosophical questions such as the meaning of life and death and the beauty of great music and poetry. Adamuszek is delightful as Anita and plays the part with great understanding and fantastic timing, bringing the character to life and making what could in lesser hands become a stereotypical dumb blonde seem completely believable, even when the plot twists test our understanding of who Anita really is and what she wants. Busch is strong as Peter and handles the complexities of this difficult role with confidence and intelligence. He portrays a blind man with almost flawless believability, and manages to plumb the depths of a full range of emotions even though he is confined to the hospital bed for much of the time. His voice is powerful but his accent is inconsistent, seeming mostly British/Australian but coming in and out of American at times. However, this minor quibble does not detract from the standard of his acting, which is exceptionally good. Sanne Baltussen does a fine job in her first St. Jude’s production as the trainee nurse who has no option but to look after Peter, since no one else will. She is bubbly and effusive, but also demonstrates the empathy that makes her want to be a nurse in the first place. Alex Radda makes an impressive stage debut as Anita’s abusive but somehow almost loveable small-time gangster boyfriend Dominic. Director Rosie Aust and assistant director Don Oakley can be congratulated on their efforts in bringing the play to life, and also in designing the simple but effective set. “Wrong Turn at Lungfish” (yes, the meaning of the title does become clear during the play) is definitely a must see. Tony Busch is a reviewer for the Adelaide Theatre Guide.