Rain Man - stage adaptation with Josh Hartnett & Adam Godley at Apollo from 28 Aug 2008

A stage adaptation of the 1988 film, Rain Man , opens at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Eve, 9 Sep 2008, following previews from 28 Aug, booking to 20 Dec 2008, featuring Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett making his West End debut as Charlie Babbitt, joined by Adam Godley as Raymond.

Josh Hartnett films credits include Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, 30 Days of Night,Virgin Suicides,The Black Dahlia and Lucky Number Slevin. Josh Hartnett said: “It has always been my intent to work on the London stage. While I've had many opportunities it was only when I read the complex and charismatic character of Charlie Babbitt that I knew the time was right. I feel very fortunate to make my London bow with such an esteemed producer and director and I’m also looking forward to working with Adam Godley, who is such an extraordinary talent. Can't wait to live and work in London a city I adore!”

Adam Godley is well known to theatregoing audiences for his Olivier nominated roles in Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick (National Theatre) and Mouth to Mouth (Royal Court). Other productions include Private Lives (West End and Broadway), Paul, The Pillowman and Two Thousand Years (NT). His film credits include Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and the upcoming X-Files: I Want To Believe.

Adapted for the stage by Dan Gordon based on the MGM motion picture, story by Barry Morrow, it is directed by David Grindley, designed by Jonathan Fensom, lighting by Jason Taylor. Produced by Nica Burns, Jane Walmsley, Michael Braham, Max Weitzenhoffer, in association with MGM ON STAGE, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.

Charlie Babbitt is a self-centred Los Angeles-based automobile dealer and hustler, who is at war with his own life. Relationships are not Charlie’s strong suit and love is quite outside his experience. Raymond is the elder brother Charlie never knew he had - an autistic savant who has been hidden away in an institution for most of his adult life. Raymond is dysfunctional in many senses, but – as Charlie is soon to discover – also touched with a kind of stellar genius which Charlie harnesses to save his business. The two brothers embark on a rollercoaster journey together which shows Raymond a world beyond the hospital gates and Charlie the meaning of unconditional love