FORMER EastEnders actor Shane Richie will take on one of the most challenging roles of his career in 2007 when he stars in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
The production comes to the Palace Theatre in Manchester from May 21-26.
Bad boy Randle P McMurphy - lover of life, liquor and girls - is sent to a state mental institution for psychiatric evaluation.
Confronted with a repressive regime, he challenges the domineering and terrifying Nurse Ratched and manages to bring defiance, laughter and liberation to his fellow inmates.
A best selling novel and iconic film starring Jack Nicholson, the role of McMurphy will be played by Richie who won awards for his portrayal of Alfie Moon in EastEnders.
He recently starred in ITV1's What We Did On Our Holiday and provides one of the voices for the DreamWorks and Aardman animated film Flushed Away with Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Sir Ian Mckellen and Andy Serkis.
Prior to opening in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, he will be filming two new dramas, The Good Samaritan for ITV and Father Frank for BBC1.
