One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

A play by Dale Wasserman
Adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey

This modern classic remains one of the most unsettling parables of institutional control.

Randle P. McMurphy arrives in a psychiatric ward expecting an easy alternative to prison. What he finds instead is a regime of quiet, smiling coercion — ruled by the chillingly composed Nurse Ratched.

What follows is a battle of wills: one man’s insistence on laughter, freedom and humanity against a system that prizes obedience above all else. It is sometimes darkly funny, sometimes desperately moving, always uncomfortably recognisable.

A story about the price of being fully alive — and the cost of allowing others to live half-asleep.

Produced by the Grove’s in-house company, the team behind Talking Heads, The Shawshank Redemption, The Mirror Crack’d, and others.

You may also like the following events from The Grove Theatre Eastbourne:

• Next Thursday, 5th February, 07:30 pm, The Doors: An Evening in Laurel Canyon | 05.02.26 | 7:30pm in Eastbourne
• Next Saturday, 7th February, 07:00 pm, The Happy Place Choir 10th Anniversary Concert in Eastbourne
• This month, 13th February, 07:30 pm, Murder Mystery Suppers 16 Jan | 13 Feb | 27 March in Eastbourne

Also check out other Arts events in Eastbourne, Theatre events in Eastbourne.