ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. To 20 May.
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
by Dale Wasserman adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey
New Vic Theatre to 20 May 2006
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 20 May 2.30pm no performance 10, 15 May
Captioned/Post-show discussion: 16 May
Runs: 2hr 30min. One interval
TICKETS: 01782 717962
tickets@newvictheatre.org.uk
www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Review: Ranjit Khutan: 28th April 2006
Fine production shows '60s play remains relevant.
Randle P McMurphy is clearly different to the other patients in the mental asylum. He’s trying a little too hard to convince everyone he’s mad and we soon discover why. He’s convinced the prison authorities to admit him to the asylum. Through playing cards, introducing gambling and basketball he quickly gains the trust of his fellow patients. All necessary groundwork if he’s to overcome the dictatorial nurse Ratched who runs the ward with an iron fist.
The set is cold and uninviting – grey clothing for the patients, white and black tiled flooring, uncomfortable chairs dotted around it and a large nurses' office sitting to one corner. Daniella Beattie’s clever lighting, which extends outside the stage area, subtly draws us into the set. No longer innocent spectators, we are encouraged to collude with Ratched, which reinforces her control over the ward and emphasises the ‘Big-Brother-is-Watching-You’ notion which is firmly instilled in the play. This is further supported during one of Chief Bromden’s dreamlike narratives when he chillingly suggests that society is being controlled by a machine which represses individuality - The Combine. The hospital is a factory - "they bring you into the asylum to fix you – they got me the same way they got you."
The influence of Kesey’s experiments with LSD and other hallucinogenic drugs is evident during these narrative moments. This emasculating machine is represented by Ratched's control over everything in the asylum, including Dr Spivey who succumbs to approving extreme treatment for McMurphy. Such issues of control and lack of freedom remain worryingly familiar in today’s world.
John Killoran is passionate in his portrayal of Randle P McMurphy whilst remaining sensitive to the subtle nuances within this role. Killoran’s McMurphy is wise, comical, energetic and sprightly - like electricity he skips around the set empowering his fellow patients to question Ratched's authority and in turn encouraging the audience to question her motives too.
Chris Monks’s excellent direction allows for surreal, dream-like and fast paced movement to sit comfortably next to largely naturalistic scenes. Excellent direction and slick acting results in an outstanding piece of theatre.
Chief Bromden: Richard Ashton
Sandra/ Nurse Pilbox/ Technician: Jill Bailey
Dr Spivey/ Ruckly: David Bowen
Aide Williams: David Carr
Aide Warren/ Aide Turkle: Trevor Caryll-Phillips
Charles Cheswick: Jonathan Coyne
Dale Harding: Chris Gardener
Randle P McMurphy: John Killoran
Nurse Ratched: Janice McKenzie
Scanlon: Alan McMahon
Candy Starr/ Nurse Flinn: Emily Pollet
Billy Bibbit: Joseph Raishbrook
Martini: Craig Rogan
Director: Chris Monks
Designer: Ellen Cairns
Lighting: Daniella Beattie
Sound: James Earl-Davis
Fight director: Kate Waters
2006-05-04 01:02:57