Adaptation of iconic Jack Nicholson film to be performed in Tipperary

Thurles Drama Group will present ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest' by Dale Wasserman and directed by Martin Fitzgerald in the Source Arts Centre from Monday, November 16 to Saturday 21 inclusive.

Opening night on Monday, November 16 will be a benefit night for Thurles Lions Club, Cathedral Raise the Roof Project.

Opening night tickets are on sale for €20, including a wine and canapes reception at 7:15pm, and can be purchased from any member of the Thurles Lions Club, Thurles Drama Group and The Source box office.

Based on the novel by Ken Kesey and made into an Oscar winning movie in 1975, the stage play is an iconic tale set in a mental institution exploring the theme of mental illness and its impact on people’s lives.

Paradoxically, by the end of the play, the audience are left wondering who the real patients are, the inmates or the staff.

When the charming gambling rogue Randle P McMurphy (Johnny Fogarty) arrives at the mental institution to serve his sentence and avoid hard labour, he expects an easy time.

Instead, he encounters the tough, manipulative Nurse Ratched (Mary Bowe) who rules the ward with clinical precision and psychological intimidation.

The other inmates are terrified of her but McMurphy, in a bet with the patients to make easy money, claims that he can get the better of her, or so he believes.

And so, the plot unfolds.

We see all this play out through the eyes of Chief Bromden (Mick Dempsey), a 6’ 6” Columbian Indian who has been a patient there for years.

The Chief is deaf and dumb or so everyone believes, even Nurse Ratched.

He speaks to the audience in voice overs reflecting his thoughts and understanding of the world, which is often erratic and disconnected from the apparent reality of daily life on the ward.

Chief Bromden observes events in silence as McMurphy and Ratched play out their game to the death in this modern morality play of good vs evil, power vs freedom and we the audience watch fascinated as the events take their course.

The play has a host of other wonderful characters who are either acutes (can be cured) or vegetables (incurable).

Harding (Andy Dawson), Cheswick (Paudie Corbett), Scanlon (Paul Flanagan), Martini (Liam Ryan), Billy Bibbitt (Noah Minchin) bring marvellous individual performances as they become invested in the outcome of the bet and who will win in the end.

More on these and the other characters next week.

This play has worldwide recognition from the movie and the stage play doesn’t disappoint either.

Despite a strong theme, the play is rich in comedy and hilarious moments to be enjoyed with great dialogue and action throughout.

So book your seats now and enjoy a marvellous evening out in November.