Final preparations underway ahead of Tipperary drama group's latest performance

As rehearsals move into the final week, Thurles Drama Group’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman is at performance level and the cast are really excited and looking forward to a wonderful six nights in The Source.

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 (0504 90204).

While the play is very funny and has some marvellous comic moments, the theme is serious and explores human frailties and pain in various contexts.

It should be noted for audiences that the final scenes of the play involve a double tragedy which some might find upsetting.

The group would like to draw audiences’ attention to this in advance of the performances.

With a big cast as mentioned last week, a production like this has many moving parts and requires a very experienced stage crew to manage all the diverse elements involved.

Set design and set management has been done by Anne O’Dwyer whose knowledge and experience at this level is invaluable.

Leading this backstage is Geraldine Morrisey and Lyndsey Dunphy as joint stage managers, supported by props specialist, Margaret Culleton and special advisor to the medical scenes, Tricia Kenny.

Greta Murphy will be busy doing make-up with such a large group while lighting (Gerry Taylor and Peter Stocksborough) and sound (Dick Ryan and Kevin Kirwan) will need subtlety and atmosphere throughout.

Costumes have been challenging for this play and Helen Cahill, Catherine Mcloughney and Jennifer Grace have also sourced some excellent period pieces to add another layer of authenticity to this show.

One of the main questions that emerges from the play, and Kesey’s original novel is the issue of ‘gatekeeping’? Who is holding the people in charge (gatekeepers) to account?

In Ireland, this resonates very strongly in the context of our recent history with institutional governance.

RP McMurphy (Johnny Fogarty) may be a grifter, always seeking an opportunity to make a ‘buck’ but his moral compass draws a line when his fellow inmates become victims of institutional abuse and degradation.

The play then becomes a power struggle between individual autonomy and institutional control or the ‘Combine’ as Chief Bromden (Mick Dempsey) calls it!

A fascinating battle ensues and parallels to the present day become glaringly obvious.

A cautionary tale indeed and not to be missed.

Tickets are booking fast for this wonderfully entertaining play so book your seats now at the Source and enjoy a marvellous evening out in November.