Aaron Pierre, Olivia Williams and Jason Pennycooke reflect on race, power and control in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Old Vic

Last night, Clint Dyer’s brand-new production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest celebrated its official opening at the Old Vic in London.

WhatsOnStage was on hand to witness this “bold, precise and deeply affecting” revival, which was awarded the full five stars by our critic in a rave review.

We also caught up with Aaron Pierre (who takes on the iconic role of Randle P McMurphy), Olivia Williams (Nurse Ratched) and Jason Pennycooke (Martini) at the show’s afterparty to get their thoughts on the play, its in-the-round staging, and its commentary on race and colonialism that crucially holds a mirror up to today’s society.

You can watch all the highlights below:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, based on the novel by Ken Kesey and adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman, forms part of artistic director Matthew Warchus’ final season at the Old Vic.

Set inside a psychiatric facility, the story follows Chief Bromden, a long-silent patient whose perspective on the institution is challenged by the arrival of McMurphy, a gambler whose defiance stirs rebellion among the patients and threatens the authority of Nurse Ratched.

Alongside Pierre, Williams and Pennycooke, the cast also includes Samson Ajewole as Aide Warren, Kazeem Tosin Amore as Aide Turkle, Arthur Boan as Chief Bromden, Adam Bond as Ensemble, Emma Cater as Ensemble, Ene Frost as Ruckley, Jaz Hutchins as Aide Williams, Shaquille Jack as Ensemble, Daisy Lewis as Candy Starr, Amy Newton as Nurse Flinn/Sandra, Javone Prince as Cheswick, Mo Sesay as Scanlon, Matthew Steer as Dr Spivey, Giles Terera as Dale Harding and Kedar Williams-Stirling as Billy Bibbit.

The creative team includes set and costume designer Ben Stones, lighting designer Chris Davey, sound designer Benjamin Grant, movement director Lucie Pankhurst, casting director Heather Basten, associate director Jade Hackett, associate wigs, hair and make-up designer Keisha-Paris Banya, costume supervisor Maybelle Laye, and cultural consultant Nathan Woodward.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest continues at the Old Vic until 23 May, with tickets on sale below.