One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to be revived at the Old Vic – with casting announced

The Old Vic has announced a new production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey.

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.

Dyer said that it felt “an honour, and the perfect time to place this wonderful play, based on the counterculture novel by Ken Kesey, back into the discourse.” He added that he hoped to retain the novel’s “original conversation on colonialism and identity” while keeping its “sense of mischief, anarchy and pathos.”

The production will star Aaron Pierre as Randle P McMurphy and Giles Terera as Dale Harding, and will be directed by Clint Dyer. It runs from 1 April to 23 May 2026, with a press night on 15 April, with further casting to be revealed.

The production forms part of artistic director Matthew Warchus’ final season at The Old Vic, in which all shows will be performed in-the-round. Warchus added: “I’m delighted to be welcoming the brilliant Clint Dyer to be a part of this in-the-round season at The Old Vic. We can’t wait to share his exciting new take on this iconic story.”

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.

Tickets for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest go on sale to members on 12 November at midday and on general sale on 14 November at midday.