Synopsis

In this stylish entertaining comedy, Julian a dentist, finds dating is easier if he pretends to be "married". His young lover Toni, after some time of dating is convinced the two have no future together, attempts suicide, and a guilt-ridden Julian rashly proposes he leave his "wife" so the couple can be together.
Toni refuses to break up his household without first meeting and talking with Julian's soon-to-be-ex, so Julian enlists the aid of his shy spinster assistant Stephanie to pose as his non-existent wife.
Complications arise when Toni decides the two must find her a new beau so everyone concerned can live happily ever after.

Written By  : Abe Burrows
Directed by : Jerry Zimmer

The Cast:

Dr. Julian Winston	Jack Robbins
Toni	Naomi Martin
Igor	Todd Clappis
Stephanie	Fiona Lardner
Ms. Durant	Lana Adamuszek
Harvey	Jordan Katelanis
Harvey's Date	Vanessa Serandour-Allaire
Senor Arturo Sanchez	Warren McKenzie
Waiter	Dion Fernandez

The Crew

Director	Jerry Zimmer
Stage Manager	Joy Whellum
Costuming	Andrea Brook (Crissanda Creations)
Make-up	Media Makeup Acedemy & Agency
Set Design and Construction	Steve Kelly
Set Installation	Steve Kelly, Max Bowden, Sean Smith, Ray Trowbridge, Kym Clayton, Dion Fernandez
Lighting design and operation	Ray Trowbridge
Sound design and Operation	Sean Smith
Properties & set decoration	Judy Rogers and Elaine Latcham
Backstage	Judy Rogers, Elaine Latcham and Dion Fernandez
Publicity	Judy Rogers
Ticketing	Karen Payne
Box Office	Karen Payne
Programme	Kym Clayton
Photography	Ray Trowbridge
Business Management	Andrew Clark
Programme cover, poster & post card design	Visionzone

Performance Details:

Thursday 22nd October 2009 to Saturday 24th October 2009 8.00pm
Thursday 29th October 2009 to Saturday 31st October 2009 8.00pm
Saturday 31st October 2009 2.00pm

Domain Theatre
Marion Cultural Centre
Cnr Diagonal and Sturt Roads (Adjacent Westfield Shoppingtown Marion)
Oaklands Park

Adelaide Theatre Guide Review

Galleon Theatre Group's latest production proves that Abe Burrow's "Cactus Flower" hasn't wilted. Director Jerry Zimmer holds a steady course and has the entire crew sailing on the right heading in this quaint romantic comedy. Boosted by some great puns and a couple of solid performances, this affable farce has a certain charm. It does what it sets out to do - make its audience chuckle - so for what it is, it's a big success that captures the quirkiness of the 1970's.
Despite sometimes lacking true momentum, the enthusiastic cast, aided by a marvellous script, provide a pretty decent piece of entertainment with more hits than misses. Overall, it's a sweet and pretty fun ride that doesn't always fulfil its ambitions. Yet it's a diverting and humorous work that deserves attention.
In the opening scene, a young woman named Toni is draped over a bed. Her neighbour smells gas and breaks into her New York apartment. From here the plot is contrived and predictable - but who cares? It's funny! The story revolves around the unlikely relationship between a young, ditzy woman named Toni and her much older lover, Julian, a dentist. Toni believes he's married with children, but in fact, he's a philanderer who tells women he's attached to avoid getting too involved. When Toni attempts suicide, Julian decides to marry her. However, Toni wants to meet his wife first. So he coerces his strong-willed receptionist, Stephanie Dickinson, to masquerade as his spouse. Much to his dismay, Stephanie causes him even more complications as one elaborate lie follows another.
The stage is split into two, the first representing Toni's apartment, and the other Julian's surgery. Centre stage hosts a record shop and a night club and all look appropriately groovy for the period. Andrea Brook's splendid costuming works extremely well with the set to create the right atmosphere. Naomi Martin is effective as Toni, Jack Robbins warms into the role of Dr Julian Winston, Lana Adamuszek (Mrs Durrant) does a comedic vamp to near perfection and Fiona Lardner is impressive as Stephanie who blooms from a prickly nurse into a delectable woman.
Ultimately, "Cactus Flower" is good old-fashioned fun.
Stephen Davenport

The New Fortnightly Weekender Review

Galleon Theatre poduction of the time-honoured comedy Cactus Flower at the Marion Cultural Centre is an absolute gem! Fiona Lardner in the Ingrid Bergmann nurse's role, gives another of the year's finest amateur perfomances along side Jack Robins' romantically befuddled dentist, whose life seems permanently in tatters.
Equally, it's the beautiful writing, and fast paced direction of Jerry Zimmer, that elicits so much hilarious romantic undercurrent and misunderstanding.
It's also well staged, with excellent scene bridging music, sound and lighting. Bravo all! Such a fine production should be embracing a brief country tour.
John Ovenden