Melbourne is getting a proper theatrical heavyweight, with the full cast for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest now revealed.
Jason Donovan returns to the city where his career began to take on Randle P McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The bold new production plays exclusively at the Athenaeum Theatre for a strictly limited season, with tickets on sale now.
He’s joined by Nadine Garner as the formidable Nurse Ratched and internationally acclaimed actor Jeremy Proulx as Chief Bromden, with the pair leading an ensemble Australian cast under director Roger Hodgman.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
- Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
- From 13 November
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For Donovan, the season carries a homecoming feel, with his career first taking shape in Melbourne’s entertainment scene during the 1980s before it went international. McMurphy, a magnetic anti-hero who pushes back against the system around him, sits well outside the parts that have defined his work so far.
The wider company rounds out with Harvey Almond as Dr Spivey, Martin Blum as Scanlon, Chris Connelly as Ruckley and Aide Turkle, Mia Dabkowski-Chandler as Nurse Flynn and Sandra, and Darcey Eagle as Candy Starr.
They’re joined by Gyton Grantley as Cheswick, David James as Harding, George Kapiniaris as Martini, Daniel R Nixon as Billy Bibbit, Jack Scott as Aide Williams and Deep Sroa as Aide Warren.
Adapted by Dale Wasserman from Ken Kesey’s novel, the play unfolds inside a psychiatric institution run with iron control by Nurse Ratched. When the rebellious McMurphy arrives, his wit and refusal to fall into line nudges the other patients toward courage, dignity and a taste of freedom.
Behind the scenes, Hodgman directs a creative team featuring set designer Richard Roberts, lighting designer Niklas Pajanti, costume designer Ella Butler, original music from Kohan van Sambeeck and production manager Stuart Johnston.
For more information, head here.
