It is the arrival of Randle P McMurphy which changes the environment.  He has been convicted of statutory rape and has been committed to a mental health institution instead of prison.  As Dr Spivey (Matthew Steer) puts it, “faking psychosis to escape the drudgery of a prison work farm”.  But his arrival brings the rebel leader the other patients need.  With some of the same feeling as in The Iceman Cometh  Randle offers hope to his fellow inmates as he challenges Ratched’s rule.

The set underlines the authority structure with Ratched, all in white with white uniform, cap, stockings and shoes, observing from the top of a white spiral staircase.  There are two screens either side with abstract video projections to convey confusion and commotion along with sound and flashing lights.  The Old Vic has been reconfigured in the round for this production. 

There is remarkable ensemble work here with many of the inmates convincingly conveying disturbed behaviour.  We are told that Chief Bromden is deaf and dumb but he narrates much of the play for us from the right hand platform area.  It is really easy to identify with the rebellion and warm to the patients without getting into arguments about care in the community alternatives.