Michelle Gomez withdraws from The Old Vic 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest' — Olivia Williams joins cast

Stepping back from the production due to personal reasons, Gomez's role of Nurse Ratched will now be played by The Father and The Sixth Sense star Williams, who was most recently seen on stage in Marys Seacole at the Donmar Warehouse.

Olivia Williams will replace Michelle Gomez in The Old Vic production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which begins performances at the London venue from 1 April.

Stepping back from the production due to personal reasons, Gomez's role of Nurse Ratched will now be played by The Father and The Sixth Sense star Williams, who was most recently seen on stage in Marys Seacole at the Donmar Warehouse.

Dale Wasserman's play, based on the novel by Ken Kesey, is set inside a psychiatric facility that is turned upside down by the arrival of gambler McMurphy, as he stirs up rebellion among the patients.

The production stars Aaron Pierre as Randle P McMurphy and Giles Terera as Dale Harding. Clint Dyer directs.

Joining them in the cast are Samson Ajewole as Aide Warren, Kazeem Tosin Amore as Aide Turkle, Arthur Boan as Chief Bromden, Adam Bond as Ensemble, Emma Cater as Ensemble, Ene Frost as Ruckley, Jaz Hutchins as Aide Williams, Shaquille Jack as Ensemble, Daisy Lewis as Candy Starr, Amy Newton as Nurse Flinn/Sandra, Jason Pennycooke as Martini, Javone Prince as Cheswick, Mo Sesay as Scanlon, Matthew Steer as Dr Spivey and Kedar Williams-Stirling as Billy Bibbit.

The Old Vic statement read: “The Old Vic is sorry to announce that Michelle Gomez has stepped down from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest for personal reasons. The theatre, cast and company wish Michelle well and thank her for her time on the production.

“The part of Nurse Ratched will now be played by Olivia Williams and we are pleased to welcome Olivia to the company. All performances are scheduled to go ahead as planned.”

The creative team includes set and costume designer Ben Stones, lighting designer Chris Davey, sound designer Benjamin Grant, movement director Lucie Pankhurst, casting director Heather Basten, associate director Jade Hackett, associate wigs, hair and make-up designer Keisha-Paris Banya, costume supervisor Maybelle Laye, and cultural consultant Nathan Woodward.

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Photo credit: Michelle Gomez and Olivia Williams. (Photo by Dan Wooller)