Based on the Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, Theatre Royal owner and impresario Bill Kenwright brings to the stage a production of Rain Man.

When self-centred salesman Charlie Babbitt discovers that he has a long-lost older brother, Raymond, who has inherited the family multi-million dollar fortune, he sets out to get ‘his half’.

Raymond is an autistic savant and has a remarkable memory and a genius for numbers. 

Determined to get his hands on the money, Charlie ‘borrows’ Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life.

As the two brothers embark on a trip across America, Charlie soon discovers that Raymond is worth more than he could have ever imagined.

Starring as Raymond is actor and comedian Matthew Horne (Gavin in Gavin and Stacey, The Catherine Tate Show and Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education). 

His most recent stage credit was The Miser opposite Griff Rhys Jones and Lee Mack at London’s Garrick Theatre. 
Starring as his brother Charlie is Ed Speleers, best known as Jimmy Kent in the worldwide hit and Golden Globe award-winning series Downton Abbey.

Speleers shot to fame after landing the lead role in the fantasy blockbuster Eragon, since then he has starred in many films and TV series and has just been announced as joining the cast of Outlander. 

The dynamic due are pictured with Eamonn Holmes and wife Ruth Langsford on ITV’s This Morning.

I caught up with Ed to find out what attracted him to the role. He said: “It starts with the script, especially in the theatre and this is my first professional play. I have wanted to it for  along time for a plethora of reasons.

“It was a complete no-brainer, a rip-roaring part. I felt that if I was going to do a play it would have to stretch me. This is very challenging, playing Charlie Babbitt is immense. It is perfect for the stage. It is a real heartfelt story.”

If we define these brothers as real people the audience show interest in their journey, it’s funny, it’s deeply charming and all about the connection of the two, especially when they are drifting apart and the audience gets it. That’s how the story starts off.

“The main drive is Charlie’s hatred of his father and his egotistical attitude but then he finds that his brother holds all the answers.

“It’s an on the road story emotionally with a real heart-tug as it’s my own journey as the character, a voyage of discovery.

“I firmly believe that for the audience the show will be as good and as enjoyable as we have enjoyed it in rehearsal.”

So, is it difficult to follow in Tom Cruise’s footsteps? “It’s not a Tom Cruise interpretation. I am a magpie and I take my inspiration from many sources. It’s a chance to re-invent the part, to bring it to life on the stage. I will put my stamp on it. For the audience it’s a real connection – visual and emotional journey.”

Ditch the tellybox and catch this amazing play before you go back to work and school...it’s nearly time for Rain Man.

The show is on until September 1. Call 01753 853888 or go to theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk.