A Masterpiece - Another 5 Oscars
Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was published in 1962 to immediate popular and critical acclaim. As a grim political satire, it explores themes of individuality and rebellion against conformity, ideas that were widely discussed at the time when the US was committed to opposing communism and totalitarian regimes. The 1975 film adaptation with Jack Nicholson won five Oscars and became a cult movie. Less familiar is the original play, a Broadway hit in the early 1960s starring Kirk Douglas. Forty years on it's a wise and timely move to revive this stage version.
Hollywood actor Christian Slater plays the wild, fun-loving radical, Randle McMurphy who has been jailed for sexual relations with a minor. To avoid prison work he feigns madness and sent to a mental asylum where his fellow patients are sad, over-sedated and institutionalised. He plans to inject colour, life and laughter into their grey world of strict rules and regulations. In charge is Nurse Ratched, Frances Barber, an unflappably cool and immaculate airhostess figure, all flicked hair and lipstick, who cares for her "boys" with a possessive motherly love. As McMurphy introduces gambling, indoor basketball, democratic voting rights and glamorous visitors to the ward, a vicious duel of words begins. Each plays their own psychological game to outwit the other as Ratched's demeanour soon begins to crack to reveal a cruel, sadistic streak. Needle-sharp and in control to the end, Barber gives the performance of her career.
The minimalist set and authentic costume design features a grey-painted day room with nursing station and swing doors, authentic hospital pyjamas and period clothes. Slater's McMurphy comes over as a cheeky, law-breaking rebel, inspired perhaps by Kesey's true-life drug-induced Merry Pranksters. An ensemble of comic actors and comedians play the inmates and staff with meticulous detail to physical mannerism and character. Chalk white, skinny, wide-eyed McKenzie Crook is utterly convincing as poor stuttering, terrified Billy, Owen O'Neill is the hilariously timid ward spokesman Mr Harding while Lucy Porter plays Nurse Flinn as a wee cow'rin tim'rous mouse.
Finely directed with a perfect sense of pace and tension, the dramatic thrust of this very intimate play moves from moments of manic energy to such heartbreaking pathos it makes you weep. Once again 5 Oscars - this is a masterpiece.
When and Where
Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street. Runs to 30 August at 1.45pm every day.Note - The run at the Assembly Rooms has sold out (returns only) but the production opens at the Gielgud Theatre, London on 3 September 2004.
Vivien Devlin, August 2004
Return to Index of 2004 Fringe Reviews.
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