OBSERVER: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest


One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest opens for its Melbourne season at the Athenaeum Theatre, Collins Street on November 13.
Starring Jason Donovan and Nadine Garner, Ken Kesey’s iconic story brought to life in Dale Wasserman’s play, will be directed by Roger Hodgman.
Jason will portray the iconic role of Randle P. McMurphy, alongside Nadine as Nurse Ratched and Jeremy Proulx as Chief Bromden.
Joining them is an Australian cast including Harvey Almond as Dr Spivey, Martin Blum as Scanlon, Chris Connelly as Ruckley/Aide Turkle, Mia Dabkowski-Chandler as Nurse Flynn/Sandra, Darcey Eagle as Candy Starr, Gyton Grantley as Cheswick, David James as Harding, Daniel R. Nixon as Billy Bibbit, Jack Scott as Aide Williams, Deep Sroa as Aide Warren and John Xintavelonis as Martini.
The play takes place Inside a psychiatric institution ruled with ruthless control by the formidable Nurse Ratched. The patients have learned one thing — always live by the rules.
Into this suffocating system bursts the rebellious Randle P. McMurphy, a charismatic troublemaker who refuses to submit quietly.
Through wit, defiance and sheer force of personality, McMurphy inspires the patients around him to rediscover courage, dignity and the fragile spark of freedom.
Season Opens: November 13
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St, Melbourne
Bookings: cuckoosnest.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold

Pictured: Jason Donovan (Randle P. McMurphy) and Nadine Garner (Nurse Ratched) rehearse One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Photo: Eugene Hyland