Picton Theatre Group Inc.
Audition dates:
Thursday 12th December 7-9pm and Sunday 15th December 11am-2pm.
The classic play and Hollywood movie starred Jack Nicholson and others.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a drama. It has some comedy elements, but is foremost a story of the main characters short time is a Psychiatric Institution.
This was in an era when patients were basically inmates, and some stayed for life.
The rights and feelings of these patients is really explored in this play.
All actors and other roles in PTG are voluntary, and auditioning or helping is a great way to get involved.
Up to 15 cast/characters needed so please feel to call the Director Paul, just to have a chat about it on 0401 842862 or pictontheatregroup@outlook.com
for more information.
The show is planned to have the performances in April/May or June next year in 2025.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST SYNOPSIS
Stage Play by Dale Wasserman and based on the novel by Ken Kesey.
The story is set inside a mental institution in the American North-West. The book focuses primarily on the Chief who is the narrator but less so in the stage play.
The play centres on a petty criminal Randall P McMurphy who gets transferred to the institution after feigning mental illness to get away from the tedium of life on the prison farm where he is serving a 6 month sentence. He wrongly believes that he will be able to serve out his time in obscurity and comfort
McMurphy doesn't understand how powerful the institution is and how it crushes dissent.
McMurphy befriends the other patients, he softens and becomes protective of them. McMurphy is loud and boisterous and a breath of fresh air to the other patients who blindly and reluctantly do what they are told is good for them.
His adversary is in the form of Nurse Ratched, the big nurse who controls everyone in it including the staff. Her power is absolute; there's nobody willing or able to challenge her authority.
McMurphy's big ally is Chief Bromden a native American Indian who has been in the institution for 10 years. Chief Bromden is a catatonic, or lends us to believe he is. In some ways the institution is even harder on him and in McMurphy he finds a kindred spirit.
McMurphy is encouraging and supportive of the other patients to stand up and fight against the Big Nurse and the institution. McMurphy has an opportunity to leave but stays at his own peril.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is not just about McMurphy but is more broadly about people not fitting in to the system and the consequences of not conforming.
The play is about is about ultimately individuals who don't fit into our saccrine environment and if they won't or can't fit in they are sedated or shocked. It is about how the institution will crush you if you don't conform.
The play is at times is brutal but has beautiful poignant moments that shows the beauty and gentle character of individuals who just like us all and want to be heard and recognised.
CHARACTER LIST OF ACTORS REQUIRED:
Chief Bromden – The Chief is an is a big man but his demeanour and life have made him small. The chief presents as catatonic and intially doesn't speak. He suffers from paranoia and hallucinations, has received multiple electroshock treatments, and has been in the hospital for ten years, longer than any other patient in the ward. Bromden sees modern society as a huge, oppressive conglomeration that he calls the Combine and the hospital as a place meant to fix people who do not conform. Bromden chronicles the story of the mental ward while developing his perceptual abilities and regaining a sense of himself as an individual. (Aged 30-50)
Randall P McMurphy - is loud and boisterous. He was sentenced to six months at a prison work farm, and when he was diagnosed as a psychopath—for “too much fighting and fucking”—he did not protest because he thought the hospital would be more comfortable than the work farm. McMurphy serves as the dominant force challenging the establishment (Nurse Ratched). Intially McMurphy is self-serving and looking after himself. He changes and begins to the identify the fragility of the other patients and tries to protect and encourage them. (Aged 30-40)
Nurse Ratched - The head of the hospital ward (The Big Nurse). Nurse Ratched, is the play's antagonist, is a middle-aged former army nurse. She rules her ward with an iron hand and masks her humanity and femininity behind a stiff, patronizing facade. She selects her staff for their submissiveness, and she weakens her patients through a psychologically manipulative program designed to destroy their self-esteem. Ratched’s emasculating, mechanical ways slowly drain all traces of humanity from her patients. (Aged mid 30's-60)
Nurse Flynn – Nruse Flynn is anxious and jumpy of eveyone. A strict Catholic who is always playing with her crucifix. Nurse Flynn is afraid of the patients’ sexuality and everything in general. (Aged 20-30)
Aide Warren – The aides present as quite angry bullies. Hospital aide Warren, is one of Nurse Ratched’s daytime aides; Nurse Ratched hired them because they are filled with hatred and will submit to her wishes completely. (Aged 30-50) (Possibly male or female)
Aide Washington - Hospital aide Washington is one of Nurse Ratched’s daytime aides; Nurse Ratched hired them because they are filled with hatred and will submit to her wishes completely. (Aged 30-50) (Possibly male or female)
Aide Turkle – Turkle is the nighttime aide. Turkle is less aggressive than the other aides. (Aged 30-60)
Dr Spivey - A mild-mannered doctor. Nurse Ratched chose Doctor Spivey as the doctor for her ward because he is as easily cowed and dominated as the patients. With McMurphy’s arrival, he, like the patients, begins to assert himself. He often supports McMurphy’s unusual plans for the ward, such as holding a carnival. (Aged 50-60)
Dale Harding - An acerbic, college-educated patient and president of the Patients’ Council. Harding helps McMurphy understand the realities of the hospital. Although he is married, Harding presents as slighly effeminate and is probably gay. He has difficulty dealing with the overwhelming social prejudice against homosexuals, so he hides in the hospital voluntarily. (Aged 40-50)
Billy Bibbit - A shy patient. Billy has a bad stutter and seems much younger than his thirty-one years. Billy Bibbit is dominated by his mother, one of Nurse Ratched’s close friends. Billy is voluntarily in the hospital, as he is afraid of the outside world. He has a history of self-harming and suicide attempts. (Aged 20-30)
Scanlon - The only Acute besides McMurphy who was involuntarily committed to the hospital. Scanlon has fantasies of blowing things up. He is quite “jumpy” and at times aggressive. (Aged 30-50)
Charles Cheswick - The first patient to support McMurphy’s rebellion against Nurse Ratched’s power. Cheswick, a man of much talk and little action. Cheswick is loud and demanding but does not have the guts or know-how to make things happen. Indeed, the reason he clings to McMurphy is because Mac has what it takes to see things through. (Aged 40-60)
Martini - Another hospital patient. Martini lives in a world of delusional hallucinations, but McMurphy includes him in the board and card games with the other patients. (Aged 40-60)
Ruckley – a patient who only utters the words “fuck off” and appears in a christ-like position on stage as if on the cross. (Aged 40-60)
Candy Starr - A beautiful, carefree prostitute and close friend of McMurphy. Candy comes to the ward for a late-night party that McMurphy arranges. (Aged 30-40)
Sandy – A friend of Candy and McMurphy, who comes to the ward for a late-night party that McMurphy arranges. (Aged 30-40)
Audition NOW for Cuckoo's Nest
Complete outline of the play and complete character list is further below:Audition dates:
Thursday 12th December 7-9pm and Sunday 15th December 11am-2pm.
The classic play and Hollywood movie starred Jack Nicholson and others.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a drama. It has some comedy elements, but is foremost a story of the main characters short time is a Psychiatric Institution.
This was in an era when patients were basically inmates, and some stayed for life.
The rights and feelings of these patients is really explored in this play.
All actors and other roles in PTG are voluntary, and auditioning or helping is a great way to get involved.
Up to 15 cast/characters needed so please feel to call the Director Paul, just to have a chat about it on 0401 842862 or pictontheatregroup@outlook.com
for more information.
The show is planned to have the performances in April/May or June next year in 2025.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST SYNOPSIS
Stage Play by Dale Wasserman and based on the novel by Ken Kesey.
The story is set inside a mental institution in the American North-West. The book focuses primarily on the Chief who is the narrator but less so in the stage play.
The play centres on a petty criminal Randall P McMurphy who gets transferred to the institution after feigning mental illness to get away from the tedium of life on the prison farm where he is serving a 6 month sentence. He wrongly believes that he will be able to serve out his time in obscurity and comfort
McMurphy doesn't understand how powerful the institution is and how it crushes dissent.
McMurphy befriends the other patients, he softens and becomes protective of them. McMurphy is loud and boisterous and a breath of fresh air to the other patients who blindly and reluctantly do what they are told is good for them.
His adversary is in the form of Nurse Ratched, the big nurse who controls everyone in it including the staff. Her power is absolute; there's nobody willing or able to challenge her authority.
McMurphy's big ally is Chief Bromden a native American Indian who has been in the institution for 10 years. Chief Bromden is a catatonic, or lends us to believe he is. In some ways the institution is even harder on him and in McMurphy he finds a kindred spirit.
McMurphy is encouraging and supportive of the other patients to stand up and fight against the Big Nurse and the institution. McMurphy has an opportunity to leave but stays at his own peril.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is not just about McMurphy but is more broadly about people not fitting in to the system and the consequences of not conforming.
The play is about is about ultimately individuals who don't fit into our saccrine environment and if they won't or can't fit in they are sedated or shocked. It is about how the institution will crush you if you don't conform.
The play is at times is brutal but has beautiful poignant moments that shows the beauty and gentle character of individuals who just like us all and want to be heard and recognised.
CHARACTER LIST OF ACTORS REQUIRED:
Chief Bromden – The Chief is an is a big man but his demeanour and life have made him small. The chief presents as catatonic and intially doesn't speak. He suffers from paranoia and hallucinations, has received multiple electroshock treatments, and has been in the hospital for ten years, longer than any other patient in the ward. Bromden sees modern society as a huge, oppressive conglomeration that he calls the Combine and the hospital as a place meant to fix people who do not conform. Bromden chronicles the story of the mental ward while developing his perceptual abilities and regaining a sense of himself as an individual. (Aged 30-50)
Randall P McMurphy - is loud and boisterous. He was sentenced to six months at a prison work farm, and when he was diagnosed as a psychopath—for “too much fighting and fucking”—he did not protest because he thought the hospital would be more comfortable than the work farm. McMurphy serves as the dominant force challenging the establishment (Nurse Ratched). Intially McMurphy is self-serving and looking after himself. He changes and begins to the identify the fragility of the other patients and tries to protect and encourage them. (Aged 30-40)
Nurse Ratched - The head of the hospital ward (The Big Nurse). Nurse Ratched, is the play's antagonist, is a middle-aged former army nurse. She rules her ward with an iron hand and masks her humanity and femininity behind a stiff, patronizing facade. She selects her staff for their submissiveness, and she weakens her patients through a psychologically manipulative program designed to destroy their self-esteem. Ratched’s emasculating, mechanical ways slowly drain all traces of humanity from her patients. (Aged mid 30's-60)
Nurse Flynn – Nruse Flynn is anxious and jumpy of eveyone. A strict Catholic who is always playing with her crucifix. Nurse Flynn is afraid of the patients’ sexuality and everything in general. (Aged 20-30)
Aide Warren – The aides present as quite angry bullies. Hospital aide Warren, is one of Nurse Ratched’s daytime aides; Nurse Ratched hired them because they are filled with hatred and will submit to her wishes completely. (Aged 30-50) (Possibly male or female)
Aide Washington - Hospital aide Washington is one of Nurse Ratched’s daytime aides; Nurse Ratched hired them because they are filled with hatred and will submit to her wishes completely. (Aged 30-50) (Possibly male or female)
Aide Turkle – Turkle is the nighttime aide. Turkle is less aggressive than the other aides. (Aged 30-60)
Dr Spivey - A mild-mannered doctor. Nurse Ratched chose Doctor Spivey as the doctor for her ward because he is as easily cowed and dominated as the patients. With McMurphy’s arrival, he, like the patients, begins to assert himself. He often supports McMurphy’s unusual plans for the ward, such as holding a carnival. (Aged 50-60)
Dale Harding - An acerbic, college-educated patient and president of the Patients’ Council. Harding helps McMurphy understand the realities of the hospital. Although he is married, Harding presents as slighly effeminate and is probably gay. He has difficulty dealing with the overwhelming social prejudice against homosexuals, so he hides in the hospital voluntarily. (Aged 40-50)
Billy Bibbit - A shy patient. Billy has a bad stutter and seems much younger than his thirty-one years. Billy Bibbit is dominated by his mother, one of Nurse Ratched’s close friends. Billy is voluntarily in the hospital, as he is afraid of the outside world. He has a history of self-harming and suicide attempts. (Aged 20-30)
Scanlon - The only Acute besides McMurphy who was involuntarily committed to the hospital. Scanlon has fantasies of blowing things up. He is quite “jumpy” and at times aggressive. (Aged 30-50)
Charles Cheswick - The first patient to support McMurphy’s rebellion against Nurse Ratched’s power. Cheswick, a man of much talk and little action. Cheswick is loud and demanding but does not have the guts or know-how to make things happen. Indeed, the reason he clings to McMurphy is because Mac has what it takes to see things through. (Aged 40-60)
Martini - Another hospital patient. Martini lives in a world of delusional hallucinations, but McMurphy includes him in the board and card games with the other patients. (Aged 40-60)
Ruckley – a patient who only utters the words “fuck off” and appears in a christ-like position on stage as if on the cross. (Aged 40-60)
Candy Starr - A beautiful, carefree prostitute and close friend of McMurphy. Candy comes to the ward for a late-night party that McMurphy arranges. (Aged 30-40)
Sandy – A friend of Candy and McMurphy, who comes to the ward for a late-night party that McMurphy arranges. (Aged 30-40)
Latest Production
Calendar
Sat 21 Dec, 2024
If this message persists, you don't have javascript enabled. The calendar cannot be loaded.Past Productions
- 2023
- Cat's Cradle.....
- 2023
- A Christmas Carol..
- 2022
- A Good Man..
- 2020
- Fawlty Towers..
- 2019
- The Great Bra Unclipping Championships at Garimba..
- 2017
- The Odd Couple..
- Ali Baba and the Forty Theives..
- 2016
- Move Over Mrs Markham..
- Razzamattazz Variety Show.....
- Pantomime: Five Beans for Jack or, The Emporer's New Clothes.....
- 2015
- Dracula.....
- Barefoot in the Park.....
- 2014
- Don't Talk to the Actors.....
- 2012
- Mum's the Word.....
- Beyond the Veil.....
- 2011
- Chemical Imbalance.....
- See How They Run.....
- And Then There Were None.....
- 2010
- The Importance of Being Earnest.....
- 2009
- Play On.....
- 2008
- Sin, Sex & The CIA.....
- 2007
- Not Now Darling.....
- 2006
- Blackadder.....
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