Scottish actor Michelle Gomez has withdrawn from the London stage adaptation of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest for personal reasons, just one week before previews were due to begin. The 59-year-old, known for roles in Green Wing, Doctor Who and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, was set to play the villainous Nurse Ratched in the production at The Old Vic.
The theatre announced on Monday that Olivia Williams, 57, will take over the role. Williams, who trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company, is best known for films such as The Sixth Sense, Rushmore and An Education. The production, directed by Clint Dyer, also stars Giles Terera and Aaron Pierre.
In a statement, The Old Vic said: “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 time on the production. All performances are scheduled to go ahead as planned.”
The play, which runs from 1 April to 23 May, features an all-Black cast playing the patients in the psychiatric facility. Dyer has said he wanted to emphasise themes of colonialism in Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel, adding that the production aims to “shock” and “break hearts” while exploring societal commentary.
