Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett makes his West End debut as Charlie Babbitt in this complex, moving and funny stage adaptation of the iconic film Rain Man which opens on Tuesday 9th September at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. Josh is joined on stage by Olivier‐ nominated British actor Adam Godley as his autistic savant brother Raymond.

Writer Dan Gordon and director David Grindley have radically re‐imagined the multi Oscar Award winning 1988 film for the stage, resetting this timeless story in the present day. The result is touching, surprising and often laugh‐out‐loud funny. Definitely funny, as Raymond would say.

Charlie Babbitt (Josh Hartnett) 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 (Adam Godley) 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

Josh Hartnett is well known for a range of films from the small independent to the big Hollywood blockbuster including 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 Iʹve 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. Canʹt 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.

Director David Grindley’s credits include Abigail’s Party (Hampstead, New Ambassadors and Whitehall Theatres and two UK tours); the multi award‐winning Journey’s End (Comedy and Playhouse Theatres, UK tours and Belasco Theater on Broadway ‐ nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Revival, was recipient of the 2007 Tony Award, 2006‐2007 Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Revival and recipient of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Director); the Broadway production of Pygmalion starring Claire Danes and Jefferson Mays; The Philanthropist starring Simon Russell Beale (Donmar Warehouse ‐ nominated for an Evening Standard Award and Critics Circle Award); Some Girl(s) by Neil LaBute starring David Schwimmer (Gielgud Theatre) and Honour starring Diana Rigg (Wyndhams Theatre).

Dan Gordon has written eleven major feature films including The Hurricane (for which Denzel Washington received an Academy Award nomination), Wyatt Earp (starring Kevin Costner) Murder In The First, The Assignment and Passenger 57. His new play Irenaʹs Vow will open in New York in September starring Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh. Other theatre credits include the stage adaptation of Terms Of Endearment which recently toured the U.K. starring Linda Gray and will debut in New York in 2009 and the stage adaptation of Murder In The First.

Stage Design is by Jonathan Fensom. Jonathan recently designed The Homecoming for the Almeida Theatre. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his set design for Journey’s End and the production won the Tony Award for Best Revival. Lighting Designer Jason Taylor was resident lighting designer at Nottingham Playhouse between 1985 an 1990 and worked for 14 seasons at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Jason was nominated for a Tony Award in May 2007 for Best Lighting Design for the Broadway production of Journey’s End.

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