Intense emotion as Cuckoo’s Nest goes from page to stage
Sat, 3 Nov 2012, 11:27 ambenfletcher1 post in thread
Intense emotion as Cuckoo’s Nest goes from page to stage
Sat, 3 Nov 2012, 11:27 amConfronting, unsettling, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest comes to Phoenix Theatre this November.
Adapted from the popular Ken Kesey novel for stage by Dale Wasserman in 1963, it explores institutionalised mental health patients, invasive medical procedures and the delicate nature of the human psyche.
Most famously, it was made into a multiple Academy Award-winning film with Jack Nicholson in 1975 – although the film was based on the novel, not the play.
Challenging authority and ridiculing conformity, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest follows a rebellious patient's life-or-death power struggle with a domineering head nurse.
Jane Sherwood has taken on the challenge of directing what’s been described as a “masterpiece of theatre”.
“Many years ago, the film had a great impact on me and, after reading the play, I thought the stage version was even better,” she said.
“It’s a touching story of friendship together with a confronting story of control. As director, my task is to ensure the characters become real people, not stereotypes.”
With the film and novel of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest being so well-known, she admits audiences will have high expectations.
“We are not going to try to do an impersonation but are following a fairly traditional approach,” Sherwood said. “The big difference is the film is very well-known but the play is actually quite distinct to the film.”
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest plays at 8pm, November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 with a 2pm matinee on November 18.
Tickets are $20 adults, $18 concession – book on 0450 158 851 or at http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=21382. Please note: the play contains coarse language and adult themes
Phoenix Theatre is located on the corner of Rockingham Road and Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, within the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall.
benfletcherSat, 3 Nov 2012, 11:27 am
Confronting, unsettling, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest comes to Phoenix Theatre this November.
Adapted from the popular Ken Kesey novel for stage by Dale Wasserman in 1963, it explores institutionalised mental health patients, invasive medical procedures and the delicate nature of the human psyche.
Most famously, it was made into a multiple Academy Award-winning film with Jack Nicholson in 1975 – although the film was based on the novel, not the play.
Challenging authority and ridiculing conformity, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest follows a rebellious patient's life-or-death power struggle with a domineering head nurse.
Jane Sherwood has taken on the challenge of directing what’s been described as a “masterpiece of theatre”.
“Many years ago, the film had a great impact on me and, after reading the play, I thought the stage version was even better,” she said.
“It’s a touching story of friendship together with a confronting story of control. As director, my task is to ensure the characters become real people, not stereotypes.”
With the film and novel of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest being so well-known, she admits audiences will have high expectations.
“We are not going to try to do an impersonation but are following a fairly traditional approach,” Sherwood said. “The big difference is the film is very well-known but the play is actually quite distinct to the film.”
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest plays at 8pm, November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 with a 2pm matinee on November 18.
Tickets are $20 adults, $18 concession – book on 0450 158 851 or at http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=21382. Please note: the play contains coarse language and adult themes
Phoenix Theatre is located on the corner of Rockingham Road and Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, within the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall.