Much celebrated travelling theatre company, Footsbarn, present their original adaptation of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Wales Millennium Centre this September (18 – 20 Sept 2014). Performed in the company’s travelling theatre tent in Roald Dahl Plas (Oval Basin), ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ will combine puppetry, masks, music and projection to offer an imaginative interpretation of Kesey’s cult novel.

Set in a psychiatric hospital, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a touching and timeless criticism of authority. Bringing a fresh and inventive twist to this literary and big screen classic, ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ explores the original novel’s deeper themes through Footsbarn’s creative and distinctive style, offering a unique performance that is at once through-provoking, funny and deeply atmospheric.

Paddy Hayter, Footsbarn’s Artistic Director said: ‘For us, the original book is a fable; it’s about a man who has lost his identity through pressure to conform, and who eventually frees himself. It’s about what rules we should follow, what is reality, what isn’t reality. It’s a wonderful text, and one I’ve wanted to do for 25 years. It’s got a great theme, a human theme, it has comedy, it ends in Greek tragedy…it has every element that you need.’

Since beginning life in Cornwall in 1971, Footsbarn - now based in Central France - has been travelling the world presenting its unique brand of theatre to hundreds of international audiences. Bringing together a wonderfully diverse group of performers, wide-ranging talents and theatrical techniques, Footsbarn is renowned for offering wonderfully rich, original and unexpected theatrical experiences.

Graeme Farrow, Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre said: ‘Footsbarn are legendary travelling theatre company who create uniquely magical shows in a beautiful tent. I presented the company in Belfast and children and adults were equally enthralled by their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Footsbarn’s arrival in town is an event in itself. They create a colourful circus atmosphere and buzz everywhere they go. When I heard that they were adapting Ken Kesey’s classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest it immediately brought a smile to my face as I imagined the puppets, clowning, dark humour and moments of high emotional drama which are trademarks of Footsbarn. I can’t wait to see it. Wales Millennium Centre will increase its focus on presenting work outside of the building over the coming years. Watch that space.’

Footsbarn will be showing in the Oval Basin outside Wales Millennium Centre from 18 -20 September 2014. Tickets from £14. For more information and for tickets, please call the box office on 029 2063 6464, or visit www.wmc.org.uk.