RAIN MAN To 28 November.
Tour.
RAIN MAN
by Dan Gordon based on a story by Barry Morrow.
Tour to 28 November 2009.
Runs 2hr 10min One interval.
Review: Rupert Bridgewater 3 September at Theatre Royal Bath.
Brotherly love triumphs over money.
This Rain Man emerges from the shadow of Barry Morrow’s glossy film to focus on the unlikely chemistry of blood brothers to create an uplifting story which goes for the emotional jugular.
Dan Gordon’s stage adaptation of the 1988 film, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, uses swiftly moving flats to suggest an airport or Las Vegas, a house or a waiting room, the drama concentrates on a story of survival and exploitation as it moves to a moving revaluation of brotherly love. Touching, sharp and funny, it’s a far cry from the, but it achieves a much closer relationship between the brothers at its centre.
Oliver Chris as Charlie Babbitt dominates proceedings with his Anglo Saxon language. From a young American who doesn’t care whom he hurts as long as he makes a buck in his automobile business to a man who has rediscovered his history, Chris convinces as the look-after-number-one businessman. He’s sharp, driven and sexy.
When his dad dies, Charlie discovers an autistic brother in an Institution set to inherit the family estate. So he kidnaps his brother to get a cut, and we’re taken on a journey across America spanning casinos, motels and above all, Raymond’s astonishing computer brain. All ending up in court.
A theatre packed with Neil Morrissey fans expecting something special from the Men Behaving Badly star weren’t disappointed with his Raymond, the autistic genius who can memorise a phone book with one glance, or count cards to win thousands at a casino, but needs a nursemaid to make all his decisions. Morrissey gives depth to a potentially one-dimensional character and makes us believe in him – with his twitching, his ticks and his obsession with routine.
My only criticism is the reactions of the other characters on first meeting him as autistic Raymond. They seem to accept him all too readily.
Ruth Everett, as Susan, is Charlie’s love interest, hitting the delicate middle note in understanding Charlie’s motivation and recognising Raymond’s vulnerability. There’s strong support too from Charles Lawson playing the wonderfully pompous Dr Breuner.
Raymond Babbitt: Neil Morrissey.
Charlie Babbitt: Oliver Chris.
Dr Breuner: Charles Lawson.
Susan: Ruth Everett.
Lucy: Emma Gregory.
Cop: Patrick Brennan.
Director: Robin Herford.
Designer: Jonathan Fensom.
Lighting: Jason Taylor.
Sound: Gregory Clarke.
2009-09-11 00:49:59