One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Synopsis

Chief Bromden, half American-Indian, whom the authorities believe is deaf and dumb, tells the story of a mental institution ruled by Big Nurse on behalf of the all-powerful Combine. Into the terrifying grey world comes McMurphy, a brawling gambling man, who wages total war on behalf of his cowed fellow inmates. What follows is at once hilarious and heroic, tragic and ultimately liberating. Ken Kesey's first novel was published in 1962 and was adapted for the state in 1963 by Dale Wasserman. It was produced successfully on Broadway starring Kirk Douglas and subsequently became an Oscar winning film directed by Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson.

Our Review:

19 March 2012

It’s a brave challenge indeed to adapt such a monolithic classic of literature - and now film - onto stage. But it being the 50th anniversary of Ken Kesey’s novel this year director Paul Taylor-Mills thought the time is ripe to revive Dale Wasserman’s play first produced in 1963, a mere year after the novel was published.

It is said that Kesey later told Wasserman himself that but for the play his novel would be forgotten, yet with the benefit of hindsight it’s actually the film that deserves that accolade and ironically the play that has been somewhat lost in the annals of history.

The question is, does the stage version hold up to a 21st century audience? Judging from the first class performance on display tonight that would be a resounding yes. It’s clear that the play has not lost any of its original flair and humour that kept it apart from the novel.

Sean Buchanan’s Randle P McMurphy is more energetic and charismatic ...

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Latest User Review

Liz McGillivray - 20 April 2012:

I saw this production on the 31st March - the last night. All the acting was strong. There were no weak characters and this is probably the best production I have seen in a long time....

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