Christiania teater in Oslo starts the theater season with the stage version of the Oscar-winning film “Rain Man” from 1988. It is not the first time this theater has staged famous films, nor are they alone in bringing film successes to the stage these days. Bjarte Hjelmeland and Nicolai Cleve Broch deliver a perfectly good performance about the two Babbit brothers. It is the interaction between the two, as well as the scenes with one brother’s girlfriend Susan (Anette Amelia Larsen), that carry this performance. BROTHERHOOD: Brothers Raymond and Charles Babbit (Bjarte Hjelmeland and Nicolai Cleve Broch) develop a close relationship in the performance “Rain man”. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater På blåtur “Rain Man” is primarily about the car importer Charles Babbit (played by Nicolai Cleve Broch). Business is not going very well, and in addition his father dies. Only after the funeral does Charlie discover that he has a brother (Raymond, played by Bjarte Hjelmeland). He is autistic and lives in an institution. BAD “BUSINESS”: For car importer Charlie (Nicolai Cleve Broch) there are stressful times and lots of phone calls. His business is on the brink of bankruptcy. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater When Charlie finds out that Raymond has inherited all the money from his father, he runs away with his brother in the hope of being handed over half of the inheritance. But the car trip doesn’t turn out quite as he had planned. For those familiar with the film, all the driving scenes are gone in the theatrical version. The performance moves from place to place, (hotel) room to (hotel) room, without the transport stages being involved. Thus, the stays in the different rooms become sort of checkpoints on where in the development of the brothers’ relationship they are. In terms of theatre, this works well. HOTEL ROOM TO HOTEL ROOM: A trial for each of the two Babbit brothers, albeit in different ways. Left: Bjarte Hjelmeland, right: Nicolai Cleve Broch. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater Moving scenes The audience does not get the impression of a tiring journey, long days or all the urgency that arises when you are on a long car journey. It is the budding love and respect between the two brothers that is at the center. And that is a story that fits the theater format. RAIN DANCE: During the road trip, the brothers become close to each other, and both learn a lot. Here, Charlie (Nicolai Cleve Broch) teaches his brother Raymond (Bjarte Hjelmeland) to dance. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater Eventually, and especially in the second part of the performance, well-acted, funny and touching scenes between Hjelmeland and Broch arise. Nicolai Cleve Broch is good at letting the dissonance between cynicism and sensitivity seep through in the character he plays. It takes some time for Broch to find the rhythm of the performance, but he plays well into it and allows Charlie to slowly unravel the sides of himself that are not about being cynical, self-confident and high on himself. TAKEN ON THE PEACH: On the first night at the hotel, Raymond (Bjarte Hjelmeland) hears strange noises and goes to investigate. It wasn’t quite the plan of the brother (Nicolai Cleve Broch). In bed: Girlfriend Sally, played by Anette Amelia Hoff. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater Language that rattles Bjarte Hjelmeland, theater manager at Christiania teater, has cast himself in one of the main roles this time – something he also did when he was theater manager at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen. It is a role he does with dedication, and it is well played. The production has chosen for Hjelmeland to speak an Eastern dialect. It is a pity. CASINO LUCK: Raymond’s amazing memory turns into chip success at the Las Vegas casino. Thus, the brother is saved from financial ruin. Left: Nicolai Cleve Broch. Bjarte Hjelmeland as Raymond on the right. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater Both because the tone of voice and the pronunciation of r do not always fit, and because the tone is lighter when speaking a dialect that is not one’s original. This becomes clear in this performance. Hjelmeland has a large and broad voice that really comes into its own in the Bergen dialect. The Eastland dialect becomes more tight and light. So one could say that the tight-knit can suit the role he has as an autistic person in “Rain Man”. But for me it still stings a bit. OUT ON TOUR: Raymond Babbit is autistic and lives in an institution. Until his brother (Nicolai Cleve Broch) takes him on a crazy road trip. From left: Anette Amelia Larsen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Bjarte Hjelmeland and Per Frisch. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater Nicolai Cleve Broch also struggles a bit with the language, especially in situations where he talks on the phone (something a desperate car salesman with creditors on his neck often does). In the telephone conversations, the lines take on a consistently literary feel, Broch seems freer in the lines when he has a physical opponent. ON DATE: Raymond has got himself a date. That doesn’t go quite as planned either. From left: Nicolai Cleve Broch, Jannike Kruse and Bjarte Hjelmeland. Photo: Fredrik Arff / Christiania Teater The other roles in “Rain Man” are quite small, but build on the main plot. Anette Amelia Larsen nevertheless stands out well in the role of Charlie’s girlfriend. The scenography is functional throughout all the movements. Everything, from scenography to lighting and costumes, takes the audience back to the 80s. 2024 looks set to be a nostalgic year at Norwegian theatres, and it starts with “Rain Man” at the Christiania theatre. Which therefore offers fine acting – but it’s probably not the big highlight of the year. news reviewer Title: “Rain Man” City: Christiania Teater, Oslo Date: 11 January - 9 March 2024 Director: Hanne Tømta Stage adaptation: Dan Gordon Norwegian translation: Lars Berge Set designer: Gjermund Andresen Costume design: Nora Furuholmen Prop designer: Tine Røtnes Mask designer: Hege Ramstad Sound design: Erik Valderhaug Lighting design: Martin Myrvold Musical responsible: Hans Einar Apelland Cast: Nicolai Cleve Broch Bjarte Hjelmeland Anette Amelia Larsen Jannike Kruse Ulla Marie Broch Per Frisch
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“Rain Man” at Christiania Theater – Reviews and recommendations
