THE Torch Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary by producing One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman - adapted from the cult novel by Ken Kesey and immortalised in the 1975 Oscar-winning film starring Jack Nicholson.

Peter Doran's electrifying production is as witty, dark and shocking as when the novel first exploded into existence back in 1962.

Ken Kesey and the novel: Kesey's unconventional life began in 1935, where he was raised on farms in Colorado and Oregon. At the University of Oregon he participated in wrestling and theatre. At the age of 24 his life underwent a dramatic change when he volunteered to be a subject in experiments with hallucogenic drugs. Near the end of the experiments, he began working the night shift in a mental ward. He gradually came to the conclusion that the patients were not crazy, just more individualised than society was willing to accept.

Parts of the novel were written while Kesey was under the influence of LSD and peyote, and as part of his research, Kesey underwent real-life ECT (electro-convulsive therapy). Kesey became addicted to LSD - the mind-altering drug which was considered both as a blessing and a curse to American society - it was used as a medical treatment for mental disorders, but caused addictions and unpleasant side-effects. LSD served as a unifying vehicle what would later define the entire counter-culture of the 1960s.

The setting of the action is towards the end of the 1950s, when many of the nation's younger generation began to challenge conformity. The Beat Culture had began during this period and continued with many other counter-cultures, culminating in the hippy movement of the 1960s.

The tale is a grim satire set among the patients and workers in a mental institution. Told through the eyes of the schizophrenic, physically intimidating and apparently mute Chief Bromden, one of the inmates, the story tells of an energetic con man - R. P. McMurphy - who seeks institutionalisation as a means of escaping the rigours of a prison work farm. Before long, in order to reduce the sexual and emotional impotence of the men at the institution, he begins to challenge the authority of dictatorial Nurse Ratched, irrevocably altering the destiny of those in the ward. The story is made up of a series of skirmishes between McMurphy and Big Nurse. Ultimately McMurphy becomes the hero, succeeding in changing the life of the inmates, but he pays an appalling price and it is Bromden who is responsible for McMurphy's final freedom.

The novel's secondary characters were based on real-life individuals whom Kesey met while working at the Veterans' Administration Hospital.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was ailed as a major literacy success. The 1975 movie starring Jack Nicholson as McMurphy won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

The play One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is adapted by Dale Wasserman from Ken Kesey's 1962 novel. The play was originally produced on broadway in 1963 with the actor Kirk Douglas starring in the lead role of R. P. McMurphy. Wasserman, unhappy with this production and the cuts to his script, rewrote it for an Off-Broadway production starring William Devane, which premiered in March 1971 and closed in September 1973, after 1,025 performances. In Wasserman's words: 'It took hold. Productions began and they have never ceased For 35 years, the play has remained steadily in production all over the world. It's in 27 languages now. It averages between 100 and 150 productions a year worldwide.'

Tickets - priced at £8.50 and £6.50 (discounts) may be purchased from the theatre box office (01646 695267). All tickets for the preview performance on Wednesday, October 16, are two for the price of one (full price tickets only). On Tuesday and Thursday, October 22 and 24, and Tuesday and Thursday, October 29 and 31, all students in full-time education may purchase the Youth Ticket - priced at £3 each.

Box office number (01646 695267) http://www.torchtheatre">www.torchtheatre. co.uk