UK Theatre Network

Rain Man

Reviewed at Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne

I must begin this review with a guilty admission. I have never seen the 1988 Oscar-winning celluloid version of Rain Man. Shocking, I know, but true nevertheless.

I cannot really provide a reason as to why this is the case. However, it did mean that, when I entered the auditorium of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, I would be unable to compare the performances of Oliver Chris and Neil Morrissey against those of Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.

The classic movie has been adapted and updated by Dan Gordon, who is also responsible for adapting Terms of Endearment and Murder In The First for the stage.

It centres around Charlie Babbitt (Oliver Chris), a selfish and egotistical car dealer whose business is on the brink of going bust. When he learns that his father has died, Charlie assumes that the inheritance he expects will solve his financial crises, until he learns that the $12 million fortune has been bequeathed to an unknown beneficiary.

The mystery recipient turns out to be Raymond (Neil Morrissey), an autistic older brother that Charlie never knew he had.

There are some terrifically played scenes between Chris and Morrissey, although some of them do not make for comfortable viewing. Charlie sees his brother only as a ‘retard’ who stands between him and the money he so desperately needs and he doesn’t mind telling Raymond this.

Morrissey is sublime as the obsessive savant, mastering each nuance and mannerism to perfection. Chris is equally as good as the highly-strung, materialistic entrepreneur.

But the joy of this piece gradually ascends to an uplifting peak when the brothers begin to get to know one another whilst driving across the country to Los Angeles. It is a journey, not only in the sense that they leave one physical location and arrive in another, but also in the sense that it is a life-changing experience for them both, during which Charlie finally learns the true meaning of unconditional love.

The production values of this piece are second to none and the performances from the cast are exquisite. Morrissey and Chris are excellently supported by Charles Lawson, Ruth Everett, Patrick Brennan and Emma Gregory.

Rain Man is a touching, heart-warming show that deals sensitively with a subject that it never trivialises. Indeed, it is an exhilarating, uplifting and wonderful piece of theatre.

Steve Burbridge.

Rain Man is at Theatre Royal, Newcastle until Saturday 10 October 2009.