One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest explores the beauty and danger of being a free spirit in a closed system. Jo Caruana discovers why this is set to be one of the most explosive plays of the season.

They say there’s a little bit of a crazy in all of us. There is something that will push our buttons to the limit – taking us to the edge but, hopefully, not quite over it.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a play that explores that fine line. In a dark world of straitjackets and tranquilisers, it introduces us to the people who crossed it and outlines the consequences they face in a dreary, 1960s US, when mental health was a disease to be dealt with forcefully.

Most of you will have heard of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. As a play script, it was written in 1963, predating the famous film starring Jack Nicholson by 12 years.

It is based on Ken Kesey’s award winning book that ground-breakingly took readers into a mental institution to meet the patients they feared.

The script tells of an institution dominated by Nurse Ratched (played by Alexandra Camilleri Warne) – a cold, precise woman with calculated gestures and a calm, mechanical manner. In it she meets new patient McMurphy (Alan Paris) – an energetic con man who seeks institutionalisation as a means of escaping the rigors of a prison work farm, and who brings a whole new dynamic to the hospital.

“It could be said that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is the story of the anarchist that is hidden in all of us; that rebellious spirit that refuses to be stifled by authority,” explains director Stephen Oliver.

“But this is more than just the story of the battle between McMurphy and Ratched. Every character in this play – from the patients, to the staff, to those outside the walls of Kesey’s institution – has their own wonderful story to tell and their own battle to fight. Each person, in his or her own way, must find the courage to live life on their own terms.”

Stephen is thrilled to be directing this production. Having trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he has since worked as a professional actor and director for over 25 years in the UK, the USA and Europe. Locally, he made his directorial debut on Festen at the Blue Box last year, and then went on to direct Butterflies are Free at St James Cavalier in June, both of which were very well received by audiences.

In all tragedy there is comedy, and vice versa

Stephen has actually already directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in the UK, and usually shies away from directing something for the second time.

“I rarely repeat plays I have directed, but was very honoured to be asked to direct this by Tony Bezzina for the Masquerade Group,” he says.

“Thus, I have approached this production with fresh ideas, a very different cast, set, space and a completely different cast dynamic, and it has already been a fabulous experience.”

Stephen watched a production of the play on London’s West End a few years ago, starring Christian Slater.

Stephen Oliver

“The issue I had with that rendition was that I never really believed I was in a mental institution; the director had focused totally on the two protagonist characters, McMurphy and Ratched, and left the others to their own devices, unsuccessfully,” he says.

So, when he went on to direct the show himself, he was determined to address this problem and chose to focus much more on the play as an ensemble piece.

“I introduced two extra characters, who are not usually featured in the cast list, from the original book. Both are chronic patients and I believe they further add to the atmosphere of the play as a whole. I have chosen to follow this route again for the Masquerade production,” he says.

Asked about how he plans to inject the play’s famed anarchy into the disciplined world of theatre, Stephen explains that the process began with his chosen group of actors.

“They have all had the courage to confront the darkness that lives in all of us with fearless joy and love for each other,” he says.

“In order to set the backdrop to which McMurphy enters and ultimately disrupts, it was important for me to ensure the truth behind each of the patient’s characterisations. How do they walk and talk? In what what way do they behave under stress when Nurse Ratched arrives on the scene? And how do they interact with each other in conflict and in combined spirit? All of these elements come together in their individual performances.”

Stephen has worked with his cast – which also includes Victor DeBono, Joe Depasquale, Andre Agius, Michael Mangion, Renato Dimech, Dominic Said, Colin Willis, Rebecca Camilleri, Rambert Attard, Gianni Selvaggi, Kristina Frendo, Nathan Alakkad, Emma Micallef, Franco Sciberras and Alfred Scalpello – on developing their own quirks and idiosyncrasies.

“For the actors, the fun lay in just seeing how far they could go while keeping a straight face,” Stephen says.

“The characters are so varied, and the two I added from the book are particularly interesting. One of them, Colonel Matterson, spends the entire play talking to his hand; the other, Sefelt, is epileptic and prone to sudden screaming outbursts.

“You can imagine what the first group therapy session looks like,” the director continues. “While the rest of the characters are chatting among themselves, Matterson is jabbering away and Sefelt has a ranting fit. The actors loved it and they were laughing hysterically trying to work through it. I believe it proves how the show celebrates what it means to be a human being; it’s all about our precious individuality and that equally precious connection that brings us all together.”

Obviously, the play does deal with some strong issues, but Stephen is keen on bringing out both the comedy and the tragedy of the piece, which he feels will make it appeal to a very wide audience.

“Despite what seems like a very depressing play, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is in fact full of humour and hope. As a director, I have also ensured these elements are evident. In all tragedy there is comedy, and vice versa,” he concludes. “I feel we have really found that balance with this production.”

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will take place at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta between 16-18 and on 23, 24 October. Tickets can be purchased from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, by e-mailing at bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or by calling on 2124 6389. The recommended viewing age is 14 years and over.