Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly) and Oliver Chris (Green Wing) star in this funny, touching and heart-warming story, adapted for the stage from the 1988 Oscar-winning movie which famously paired Dustin Hoffman with Tom Cruise.



I’d not seen the film so was expecting a flashy show, but was seduced by the pared down simplicity of the story and set. 

The story follows the week long exploits of an angry disinherited young man Charlie Babbitt (Oliver Chris) who, following the death of his father, finds out that ‘his’ twelve million dollar inheritance has been bequeathed to an unknown beneficiary, his ‘long lost’ brother who is Autistic and had been placed in residential care twenty four years earlier by the seemingly uncaring father.

Hot on the trail of the cash, Charlie embarks on a challenging and life-changing journey as he discovers the meaning of unconditional love through Raymond, an older brother he never knew he had.

There’s some uncomfortable laughter in the first half as the anger, bitterness and confusion is played out before Charlie takes his brother off and they learn, slowly, to get to know each other. 

The second half opens confidently and from then it’s a wonderful piece of theatre, Morrissey and Chris working to each others vulnerabilities and strengths perfectly.  With some fine acting from Morrissey who never misses a twitch and portrays the ways in which his character communicates and relates to the rapidly changing world around him with a real dignity. 

The supporting cast is spot on and Ruth Everett as Susan, Charlie’s girlfriend is a treat.

This is a lovely tender show, and I left the theater feeling like I’d had a good night out. The minimalist set evokes the feeling of claustrophobia, movement and the ever present changes in Raymond’s adventure in a subtle and clever way and there are some lovely and appropriate comedic moments, laughing with, not at, the characters. There is however a lot of very vulgar swearing, relished by Oliver Chris, so go forewarned on this.

This stage adaptation by Dan Gordon
 has been updated and seems to bring out and into focus the developing relationships of this newly found ‘family’ and allows the actors space to develop a real rapport with the audience and each other. 

I’m glad to have been introduced to the story this way, it’s a damn sight more fun than sitting in front of that detestable Cruise for three hours.

Until Sat 17th October

Theatre Royal, Brighton

www.ambassadortickets.com/508/664/Brighton/Theatre-Royal-Brighton/Rain-Man