Reviewed by Deborah Mackenzie
Based on the Oscar award winning 1988 film of the same name, Rain Man has been brought to the stage with Dan Gordon’s adaption of Barry Morrow’s screenplay.
Charlie Babbitt (Paul Nicholls) is a self-centred Los Angeles based automobile dealer/hustler who is on the brink of making his fortune by importing Lamborghinis, but everything is threatened by delays.
The trip is cancelled by news that his estranged father, Sanford Babbitt, has died. Returning to his hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio, to settle the estate, where he learns undisclosed trustee, on behalf of an unnamed beneficiary is to inherit $3 million plus; while he is to receive the classic Buick Roadmaster convertible and several prized rose bushes all of which are dying from neglect.
Eventually Charlie learns the money is being directed to Wallbrook, a mental institution, where he discovers that he has an autistic older brother Raymond (Chris Fountain). Raymond has savant syndrome and adheres to strict routines and has exceptional memory recall but shows little emotional expression except when in distress. Charlie fuelled by the money spirits Raymond out of the institution, with plans of gaining half the money he believes is rightfully his upon return of his brother, but when met with rejection he starts custody proceedings to get access to the money.
When Raymond refuses to fly, they leave on a cross-country road trip together. During the journey Charlie learns more about Raymond and also learns that Raymond used to live with the family when Charlie was young. Charlie realises that the comforting figure from his childhood, who he recalled as an imaginary friend named ‘Rain Man’, is his brother.
After Charlie learns that the Lamborghinis have been seized by his creditors, he is now in $80,000 debt. He makes a plan that they will go to Las Vegas and win the money at blackjack by counting cards. The casino bosses realise what they have done and told Charlie they are to leave and never return; but Charlie had enough to clear his debts.
Back in Los Angeles, Charlie meets up with Dr. Bruner, who offers him $250,000 to walk away from Raymond. Charlie refuses and tell him that he is no longer upset about the inheritance and that having a relationship with his brother is more important.
This poignant yet comical drama production followed the original storyline; I felt it showed the frustrations of misunderstanding of mental illness, yet through learning and acceptance a wonderful bond between two brothers as born.
The sets were quickly and expertly changed, but I really wanted to see the car as it played a huge part in storyline. But it did not take away from the fantastic acting and getting the story across.
Much has changed, thankfully, since the 80s and the way people perceive different types of mental illness. As a parent of a child who is on the autistic spectrum, storylines like this are important.
These characters and the acting is the best I have experienced in a long time.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13 to £44.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Rain Man is at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow from 25-30 March 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow or call the box office on 0844 871 7647.
Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA | 0844 871 7647
