Johnny is a young soldier who becomes addicted to morphine after he is wounded during the war. His suffering is in no small part because he keeps his addiction secret from his pregnant wife, telling only his sister. A visit from Johnnys father sets in motion a series of events, arguments, confessions and revelations that will bring resolution and ultimately redemption.
With smart dialogue, fast-moving action and modern protagonists, the play examines the problem of drug dependency among young people, while at the same time offering a solution that is achievable only with honesty, the desire to recover and the support of friends and family. The play is not just about addiction, however. It presents the family and the problems that arise from it with affection and understanding. Trusting in human communication, it arrives at the conclusion that no problem is insurmountable when its members desire mutual understanding and cooperation. Without idealising or romanticising the harsh world in which young people have to live, A hatful of rain leaves open the possibility of stability and happiness. The central character manages to emerge victorious from his ordeal and stands as a model for all young people trapped in a false paradise.