Paul Nicholls and Chris Fountain Will Lead Premiere of RAIN MAN

After a successful first year, Rain Man, the inaugural production of Bill Kenwright's Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company, has extended its run into 2019 with a new star cast. Paul Nicholls will play Raymond Babbit, joined by Chris Fountain as Charlie Babbitt.

Paul Nicholls became a household name when he joined EastEnders as the troubled Joe Wicks in 1996 until 1997. He has also appeared in acclaimed dramas such as Channel 4's hit drama Ackley Bridge, The C Word for the BBC and ITV's Law and Order. His film work includes Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, If Only and The Trench. Previous theatre work includes Long Day's Journey Into Night with Jessica Lange (Lyric Theatre), Vincent in Brixton (National Theatre), Billy Liar (Bush Theatre) and The Shawshank Redemption (UK Tour).

Chris Fountain won Best Actor in the 2008 British Soap Awards for his portrayal of Justin Burton in Hollyoaks. He played Tommy Duckworth for 2 years in Coronation Street and has also starred in Dancing On Ice and most recently the ITV drama, Girlfriends. In 2016 he made his stage debut as Guy in the award-winning production of The Full Monty UK Tour.

The 2019 run will open at Theatre Royal Bath on 14 January 2019 and then continue on its UK road trip to Woking, Barnstaple, Malvern, Crawley, Darlington, Clwyd, Southampton, Manchester, High Wycombe, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle and Weston-Super-Mare.

When self-centered salesman Charlie Babbitt discovers that his long-lost brother

Raymond, an autistic savant with a genius for numbers, has inherited the family fortune; he sets out to get 'his half'.

Charlie 'borrows' Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life and the two brothers embark on a trip across America where Charlie soon discovers that Raymond is worth more than he could have ever imagined...

Inspired by the heart-warming Oscar-winning film, which famously starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and won Oscar's for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor, Rain Man follows previous acclaimed Bill Kenwright productions of films to the stage such as A Few Good Men, The Shawshank Redemption and Twelve Angry Men.

The production is directed by Jonathan O'Boyle whose credits include: A Guide for the Homesick (Trafalgar Studios), Rasheeda Speaking (Trafalgar Studios), This House (UK Tour); Pippin (Hope Mill Theatre/Southwark Playhouse); and Hair (Hope Mill Theatre/The Vaults) winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off West End Production.