A re-working of the classic drama, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest will take to the stage of Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre this autumn s part of a programme celebrating the theatre’s 40th anniversary.
Dale Wasserman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s classic American novel tells the story of institutional madness, where the mentally insane are drugged, electrocuted and lobotomised in order to enforce a chilling notion of sanity, one where obedience and conformity are the only acceptable indications of mental health.
Rehearsals for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre
First published in 1962, Ken Kesey’s One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest was an immediate success and is based largely on his experiences with mental patients. Through the conflict between Nurse Ratched and Randle Patrick McMurphy, the novel explores the themes of individuality and rebellion against conformity, ideas that were widely discussed at a time when the United States was committed to opposing communism and totalitarian regimes around the world. However, Kesey’s approach, directing criticism at American institutions themselves, was revolutionary in a way that would find greater expression during the sixties.
The book was a cult success and screenwriter Dale Wasserman adapted One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest into a play version that ran on Broadway in 1963, with Kirk Douglas playing Randle McMurphy.
In 1975, a movie version was released without Kesey’s permission, directed by Milos Forman. It was extremely successful, though quite different from the novel. As a result, for many people, Randle McMurphy will forever be associated with Jack Nicholson, the famous actor who portrayed him.
Director of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Peter Doran . The production will play at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre during October 2017.
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest is directed by award-winning director, Peter Doran, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director and winner of the Best Director Award at the 2017 Wales Theatre Award. Director Peter Doran joins the cast of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest in the role of Scanlon, his first stage appearance since the Torch Theatre Company production of Bedroom Farce in October 2004.
The Torch Theatre will also be working with mental health charity MIND as their chosen charity during the run of this production.
- One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest runs at The Torch Theatre from October 11 to 28. To book tickets or for more information, contact our Box Office at 01646 695267 or e-mail boxoffice@torchtheatre.co.uk
- Please note that this production contains strong language and mild adult themes