REVIEW: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST @ THE OLD VIC

🎭 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

📍 The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB

🗓 Friday 8th May 2026

⭐️ 3 Stars

A BOLD VISION THAT DOESN'T QUITE LAND

Heading into the iconic Old Vic last night, I’ve got to admit, my expectations were sky-high. There’s something about that building that just screams "theatrical event", and seeing a revival of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - a story so baked into our cultural consciousness - felt like the perfect fit for such a historic space.

We all know the story: the rebellious Randle P. McMurphy winds up in a psychiatric ward, clashing with the iron-fisted Nurse Ratched. In this new production, director Clint Dyer attempts to shake the dust off, updating the story for a modern audience and trying to find new layers in Ken Kesey’s 1962 tale. The problem is, these innovations have a varying degree of success. For all its ambition, the production never quite fulfils its promises or its potential.

One of the biggest hurdles is that the play’s depiction of mental illness remains wildly outdated. Despite the modern lens, little is done to overcome the old-school stereotypes of the "loony bin", and the misogyny that is rampant in the original text is still very much on display. By failing to interrogate the toxic "gender war" at the heart of the story, the play feels trapped in the past. We’re still watching a group of men find their manhood by vilifying a woman, and in 2026, that feels more than a little regressive.

I always love to see an old story told in a new way, but this revival unfortunately lacks any political sting. Having the patients played mainly by Black actors with white actors playing the staff should have been a biting take on racial hierarchies and systemic oppression. I understood the vision, and it was certainly notable, but something was missing. The impact was somewhat watered down I felt because, while the high-ranking staff were white, the aides were played by Black actors. I get that this was likely a practical decision for understudy coverage across the company, but it totally hampered the intended narrative. The racial commentary became muddled rather than sharp.

Then there’s the staging. The Old Vic has gone in-the-round here, clearly intended to make us more than mere spectators - we’re meant to feel complicit in the staff's actions, watching a "fish bowl" of human suffering. It didn't really work for me. The sightlines from anywhere other than the stalls are pretty poor, and you’d easily miss key moments, creating way more restricted-view seats than you’d expect. Honestly, a traditional proscenium setup would have served the intimacy better.

Also, a quick note to the team: sitting in the Stage Dress Circle (where the stage usually is), I could clearly hear cast and staff chatting behind the scenes. Since that’s not a usual backstage area, they need to realise that every whisper carries, and I was constantly being taken out of the onstage action because of this.

It’s not all bad, though. The cast is, for the most part, nothing short of exceptional. Aaron Pierre is a total tour-de-force. He deserves a mountain of awards for his McMurphy. He bowls onto the stage with an electric presence that endears you to him immediately; he isn't just a trickster, he’s a genuine symbol of rebellion. I found myself rooting for him from the jump.

What Pierre brings to the role is a grand-scale energy that fills the entire auditorium. He manages to capture the character’s specific struggle, making this version of Randle P. McMurphy entirely his own while honouring the legends who came before him. There is a physical precision to his performance. Every movement feels charged with the character's desperate need for empowerment against the ward’s crushing routine. He isn't just playing a loudmouth; he's playing a man who uses his charisma as a weapon, making the eventual shattering of that spirit all the more devastating to watch.

I am also always overjoyed to see Giles Terera on stage. His performance as Dale Harding just cements my view that he’s one of the finest actors London has to offer. He’s dignified and centered, giving the sense of a massive internal life he’s keeping hidden. Plus, his silky, soulful vocals bookend the show, and added a haunting depth that I absolutely loved. Kedar Williams-Stirling also delivers a heartbreaking Billy Bibbit, handling the character’s stutters and ticks with a breathtaking, grounded reality.

The character I struggled with most was Nurse Ratched. Regular readers know I am a huge supporter of understudies - I’ll book tickets specifically to see them perform - but I wasn’t sold on Emma Cater here. To be fair, it felt more like a directorial issue than a performance one. There was nothing biting about her. While I liked the calm, soft tone - we certainly don't need a Disney villain here - there was no darkness or intent behind the words. She wasn’t intimidating. The way the development of this pivotal female role was overlooked only added to that sense of lingering misogyny I mentioned earlier.

Overall, while I’m glad I saw it, I left the theatre feeling a little flat. I expected a statement, but the production didn't fully realise its goals. It’s worth seeing for the stellar performances, but I just can’t warrant more than three stars. For me, it just didn't live up to the hype and I left the theatre feeling deflated.

Performances continue until Saturday 23rd May. Tickets are still available, but are limited so CLICK HERE to book now if you don't want to miss out.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

CAST:

Aaron Pierre as Randle P. McMurphy; Giles Terera as Dale Harding; Arthur Boan as Chief Bromden; Ene Frost as Ruckley; Jason Pennycooke as Martini; Javone Prince as Cheswick; Mo Sesay as Scanlon; Kedar Williams-Stirling as Billy Bibbit; Emma Cater as Nurse Ratched; Samson Ajewole as Aide Warren; Kazeem Tosin Amore as Aide Turkle; Jaz Hutchins as Aide Williams; Matthew Steer as Dr. Spivey; Amy Newton as Nurse Finn / Sandra; Daisy Lewis as Candy Starr; Adam Bond as Ensemble; Shaquille Jack as Ensemble

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 35 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Realistic depictions of a range of mental health conditions; Violence and suicide: References to statutory rape; Flashing lights, haze, smoke, and spark effects; Sudden loud noises; Theatrical blood; Prop firearms and needles; Onstage smoking

AGE RECOMMENDATION:

14+

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