One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestPresented by Sedos Theatre
Bridewell Theatre
Bridewell Theatre
08/09/2009 - 12/09/2009
*A high-energy power struggle that questions both the definition of sanity and the place of authority in society.
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Securing their reputation as London’s premier amateur theatre company, Sedos’ production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” utilizes acting and production talents of an exceptional caliber. Although an amateur company, Sedos (formerly the Stock Exchange Dramatic and Operatic Society) have mounted a production that outshines those of many professional companies working in London. The passion and dedication of all involved are apparent, making this a highly enjoyable evening of theatre and one not to miss.
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Based on Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel of the same name, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” steps into the bizarre and occasionally terrifying world of a 1950’s American mental institution. In following the escapades of a band of patients, led by recent prison transfer RP MacMurphy, “Cuckoo’s Nest” questions concepts of sanity and authority and challenges the societal view of normality. This is a play about power struggles, as the patients attempt to adjust their personalities and paranoia under the watchful gaze of a cold and authoritarian hospital staff. Indeed, no power struggle is greater in this piece than the one between MacMurphy and the head nurse, Nurse Ratched. Ken Kesey, and later Dan Wasserman who adapted Kesey’s novel into the play, evoke sympathy for their characters by presenting personalities who are perfectly sane yet fail to fit neatly into acceptable society. However, the more MacMurphy and his followers assert their independence, the more the institution forces them back into submission with tragic results.
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This production is well directed and executed by director Rebecca Smith. The staging is interesting, with good use made of the entire space. Chief Bromden’s inner monologues, which separate the main action, are particularly well conceived, and appropriate lighting, sound and costuming are used throughout the piece. Tiffany Vanstone’s set is also visually stunning.
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Where “Cuckoo’s Nest” truly succeeds, however, is in the acting. With a cast of sixteen, all of the performances are impressive and engaging. This play truly requires a good supporting cast, and thankfully, it has found it, with each character doing justice to the original concept and script. Ben Hale’s Billy Bibbett is particularly moving, as is Mark Macey’s Harding and Darren Hannant’s Cheswick. It would be difficult, though, to single out any one actor as exceptional in such a talented cast. At the heart of this story is a shifting balance of power between MacMurphy and Nurse Ratched, and this production makes good use of its lead actors in discovering and developing this balance. As MacMurphy, Liam Byrne is sympathetic, engaging, and likable. Perhaps the only criticism, then, is that he is too likable. MacMurphy somehow loses a bit of his hardened criminal edge and unpredictable violet streak, rendering Nurse Ratched entirely unsympathetic and antagonistic in the extreme.
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Where the production falls short is in the timing. At just over 2 hours in length, including intermission, the second half of the play seems to lose its pacing and urgency just as it should be gaining it. Tighter cues between lines would easily solve this. Overall, this is a truly exceptional and entertaining production, and is a perfect example of amateur theatre at its finest. 4 Stars.
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Playing through September 12th at the Bridewell Theatre on Bride Lane, Fleet Street as a part of the London Fringe. Review written by Megan Hunter for Fringe Review: http://www.fringereview.co.uk
