Rain Man review: Based on the film of the same name starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, this is the tale of two brothers who were estranged due to a decision their a parent made when they were young children. However due to the death of their father they rediscover each other, younger sibling Charlie, aged 30, meets his older sibling Raymond, to discover that Raymond is autistic and living in a ‘suitable institution’.
The whole of this theatrical version of Rain Man takes place in the period of a week and shows the development of the relationship of the two brothers who have had very different upbringings, albeit with the same parents.
The set for this touring show is static and a little uninspired despite the constant changing of one bed for another and the swapping of sofas as the two brothers travel across America. Sadly one has no specific visual clues indicating that a road trip was taking place, and it is a little diff[cult to pinpoint where any of the story is occurring, though the play is competently performed.
At times harrowing, tender, moving and embarrassing, the production endeavours to demonstrate the issues and misunderstandings that society has had of autism. Most remarkable is notice of the change in attitude since the 1980s, change in treatments, improvement in support and most of all consideration of language used about this disability. A worthy version of the classic film story.
Rain Man is currently touring the UK and was reviewed at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking.
