A Curve Production

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

By Dale Wasserman

From the novel by Ken Kesey Directed by Michael Buffong

Following the World Premiere of Akram Khan’s DESH, the autumn season continues at Curve with a new Curve production of the cult classic, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, directed by the award-winning Michael Buffong.

Upon being sentenced to prison, Randle P. McMurphy hopes to avoid hard labour with a stint in a mental institution. However, his anti-authoritarian attitude and compassion for his fellow patients make him a prime target for the insanely fearsome Nurse Ratched, which leads to explosive results for everyone, including those caught in the cross-fire.

This new production is based on the classic and incredibly influential 1962 novel by Ken Kesey, which was later adapted for the 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson and won five major Academy awards. Volatile and dark, humorous, thought-provoking and with strong language, this Curve production promises to be a night to remember.

This explosive stage adaptation will be directed by award winning director of film, theatre and television, Michael Buffong. Buffong’s TV credits include EASTENDERS, HOLBY CITY and CASUALTY and his recent theatre plays include multi award-winning A RAISIN IN THE SUN and PRIVATE LIVES at The Royal Exchange Manchester and the spin off project CRAWLING IN THE DARK at the Almeida.

Michael Buffong said: ‘ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST is a play that challenges the idea of the state institution and the freedom of the individual; ideas which remain pertinent in today’s society. The film is great but the play is incredibly funny and so much more electrifying; it’s colourful and has an ensemble of fascinating characters, into which this wild card McMurphy is thrown. I’m looking forward to exploiting the size of Curve’s stage to bring this epic play to life.’

The cast of fourteen is led by Michael Beckley as Randle P. McMurphy, Catherine Russell as Nurse Ratched and De Montfort University graduate Thomas Renshaw as The Chief.

Beckley is perhaps best known for his regular role as Rhys Sutherland in HOME & AWAY. His recent theatre credits include: THE INVISIBLE MAN (Menier Chocolate Factory); MAMMA MIA! (International Tour); CABARET (Apollo Theatre) and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Derby Playhouse).

Russell is fresh from for playing Rosie in the West End’s MAMMA MIA! (Prince of Wales Theatre). Her other extensive stage and television credits include: Out of Joint’s DREAMS OF VIOLENCE (Soho Theatre), THE CONVICT’S OPERA and TALKING TO TERRORISTS (Royal Curt) and E4’s PETE VERSUS LIFE.

Renshaw graduated in Theatre Studies from DMU in 2007, he then went onto train at the London School of Acting. He has previously played The Chief in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST at the Black Ram theatre in Norwich.

The cast also includes Michael Bertenshaw as Dale Harding, who has just finished ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL and ANNE BOLEYN, directed by John Dove at Shakespeare's Globe. He could recently be seen in MILIBAND for Blink Films.

Bertnenshaw is a familiar face from television including: THE CULSHAW AND STEPHENSON SHOW, THE BILL, MURDERLAND, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, DOCTOR WHO, EASTENDERS, MESSIAH, MURPHY'S LAW and CASUALTY.

CAST:
NURSE FLINN/SANDRA Rebecca Bainbridge
RANDLE McMURPHY Michael Beckley
DALE HARDING Michael Bertenshaw
BILLY BIBBIT Alexander Campbell
CANDY STARR Grace Carter
CHESWICK Wayne Cater
SCANLON Tony Guilfoyle
RUCKLEY Paul Joseph
NURSE RATCHED Catherine Russell
CHIEF BROMDEN Thomas Renshaw
AIDE WARREN Howard Saddler
AIDE WILLIAMS Sydney Smith
DR.SPIVEY/AIDE TURKLE Jonathan Tafler
MARTINI Miltos Yerelemou

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Michael Buffong
DESIGNER Ellen Cairns
LIGHTING DESIGNER Mark Howland
SOUND DESIGNER Jack Arnold
COSTUME SUPERVISOR Heidi Bryan
COMPANY STAGE
MANAGER Brad Fitt

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