SYNOPSIS
Rain ManA stage adaptation of the multi Oscar-winning Hollywood movie Rain Man comes to the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End from September 2008. Featuring Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett on his West End debut as the abrasive and self-centred Charlie Babbitt the stage version of Rain Man promises to bring the wonder and emotion of the 1988 MGM motion picture to theatre, but in an updated format more relevant to today's audience. British actor Adam Godley will play opposite Josh Hartnett as Charlie's autistic savant brother, Raymond Babbitt. Godley's stage credits include 'Cleo', 'Emmanuel and Dick' at the National Theatre and 'Mouth to Mouth' at the Royal Court. He is also a familiar face to screen audiences, having appeared in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The X-Files: I Want to Believe.
Rain Man: The StoryCharlie Babbitt is a brash and selfish twenties-something owner of an automobile dealership in Los Angeles. He lives life in the fast lane, his love for risk jeopardising the financial integrity of his business when a deal to import some luxury grey-market vehicles turns sour. Charlie is not a relationships man, but he is an opportunist! When his estranged father dies, leaving behind a fortune, Charlie sees only the money - and a way to rescue his business.
Charlie's 'excitement' however turns to dismay and disbelief on realising that his father's fortune has been left almost entirely to his brother, Raymond Babbitt, and of whom Charlie knew nothing about. Raymond is an autistic genius - a savant who resides in a mental institution with no experience of the world beyond his hospital gates. In an effort to claim what Charlie believes to be his rightful share of his father's estate, he travels to meet up with Raymond and bring him back across America to his attorney so his share can be negotiated.
Rain Man is the touching story of that journey - one that sees both Charlie and Raymond gain not only a brother, but a true friend for life.
The Rain Man production at the ApolloThe stage production of Rain Man has been adapted from the 1988 MGM motion picture by Dan Gordon with original story credit to Barry Morrow. Dan Gordon is well known for his screenwriting work. Credits include blockbuster Hollywood movies 'The Hurricane', 'Wyatt Earp' and 'Passenger 57'. He has also written extensively for TV, and has several novels to his name. The Apollo Theatre production of Rain Man is his first play written for the stage.
Directing the production is David Grindley. Described as one of Britain's most talented young directors, Grindley's work includes a revival of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party; Journey's End, which transferred from London to Broadway, and Neil La Bute's Some Girls, featuring actor David Schwimmer at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End.
Rain Man at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is set to run through to 20 December 2008.
