Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 6

Another chance to hear Christian Slater read Ken Kesey's powerful, anti-authoritarian novel, based on the author's own experiences at a war veterans' mental hospital.

Another chance to hear Christian Slater read Ken Kesey's powerful, anti-authoritarian novel. Based on the author's own experiences at a war veterans' mental hospital in California, it was described as "a glittering parable of good and evil" on its publication in 1962.

It tells the story of Randle Patrick McMurphy, a rebellious inmate in a mental hospital who leads a rebellion against the repressive staff. In the sixth episode, McMurphy gets a day pass for him and nine patients to go on a fishing trip, with his "aunts". The trip goes well, and the patients arrive back at the hospital sunburned, stinking of beer and toting salmon like conquering heroes.

This series first broadcast on Radio 2 in 2004, when Christian Slater was playing McMurphy in London's West End.

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Jan 2010 21:15

Broadcast

  • Fri 22 Jan 2010 21:15