One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Michelle, Danaya and I went to see the Theater Calgary Production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" last Friday night. We arrived in good time and so, for once, I actually had time to sit and read through the magazine about the play we would be watching. I found the story to be very interesting and then the author of the story perhaps even more so (worked for the Gov't, drove a hippie bus around the States encouraging the use of LSD, etc). Also there was a brief history of thought about psychology and the treatments for emotional and psychological maladies. It was disturbing to say the least and made me feel good about how far we have come as a society in both understanding and creating effective treatments. We have truly come a long ways, but we still have a ways to go.
This play looks at some of the abuses that were common inside mental institutes when the patients were treated more like prison inmates than the ill. Into this redundent and hope deflating environment comes Randle McMurphy who managed to con his way into being sent there instead of to prison. He stirs up outrage at the obvious power inequalities within his new home and gives his fellow patients a new sense of hope and control. He finds himself very much at odds with the head nurse Ratched who enjoys her sense of control over her environment. She uses her authority as the one who decides on length of treatment and type of treatment being used to control each of her patients. She makes them face their flaws but doesn't give them any hope that they'll ever grow out of them. This play made me laugh at the playful rebellion that this unusual character McMurphy created and cry in outrage as the amazing change he creates in those around him is squashed by the totalitarian head nurse who will not have her control taken from her.