Duration
Ken Kesey’s landmark story of power, control, and resistance returns in a bold new Old Vic staging where McMurphy’s rebellion reshapes a silent ward and unsettles its rigid order.
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Adapted from Ken Kesey’s novel, this psychological play suits fans of bold storytelling, character drama, and literary classics, bringing its charged world to the stage in London.
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Directed by Clint Dyer after projects like Death of England, with Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera leading the cast, this version revisits Kesey’s work for contemporary audiences.
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Set and costume by Ben Stones, with lighting by Chris Davey, provide a grounded environment where movement and sound deepen the tension between authority and autonomy.
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Playing at the Old Vic Theatre, this staging connects Kesey’s themes to modern structures of power. Book your One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest London tickets now!
The story
Set inside a psychiatric ward governed by routine and rigid authority, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest play follows Chief Bromden, a long-silent observer, whose world shifts when McMurphy arrives. His refusal to accept the ward’s rules unsettles Nurse Ratched’s control and stirs forgotten impulses in the patients. As power fractures, alliances form and the boundaries between resistance and consequence blur.
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Show details
Categories: Play, Classic, Drama
Audience: Suitable for 14+ yrs
Theater name: Old Vic Theatre
Find the best seats in the house with the Old Vic Theatre seating plan
Theater facilities: Bar, cloakroom, restrooms, café
Theater accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrances, companion seating, accessible toilets, lift access to certain levels, hearing loops, assistance dog-friendly spaces, access hosts
Dress code: Smart casual
Cast & crew
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Leading roles: Aaron Pierre as Randle P. McMurphy and Giles Terera as Dale Harding
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Director: Clint Dyer
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Playwright: Dale Wasserman
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Based on the novel by: Ken Kesey
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Set & costume designer: Ben Stones
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Lighting designer: Chris Davey
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Sound designer: Benjamin Grant
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Movement: Lucie Pankhurst
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Associate director: Jade Hackett
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Associate wigs, hair & makeup: Keisha-Paris Banya
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Costume supervisor: Maybelle Laye
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Cultural consultant: Nathan Woodward
Additional info
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This show is suitable for ages 14 years and above.
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Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
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Most theaters are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
Frequently asked questions about One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Q: How much do the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest London tickets cost?
A: Prices vary based on your choice of seats and show dates.
Q: Where is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest playing in London?
A: The show is playing at the Old Vic Theatre.
Q: What’s the story about?
A: A new patient challenges the ward’s strict authority, prompting unrest, discovery, and shifting loyalties among the men inside.
Q: Is the show suitable for children?
A: It is generally recommended for ages 14 years and above.
Q: Is this production based on the original novel?
A: Yes. The play adapts Ken Kesey’s novel and reframes its themes for contemporary audiences.
Q: How is this version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest play different from the 1975 film?
A: This staging follows the novel’s perspective, focusing on Chief Bromden’s viewpoint rather than the film’s emphasis on McMurphy.
Q: What themes does the production explore?
A: Power, institutional control, colonialism, identity, mental health, and the consequences of dissent.
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You will receive an email with your One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nes voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid Photo Id for identification.
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