Singin' in the Rain
A hugely successful stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is due to relaunch at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 2021, before going on a worldwide tour. The show’s highlights are two dance sequences in the rain, which posed logistical problems for designers.
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When theatre designer Simon Higlett was asked to create a set for the stage production of Singin’ in the Rain in 2011, he was enthusiastic but wary: inundating a stage with water can cause problems, from ensuring equipment stays dry and avoiding technical problems to making sure performers are comfortable and actually getting the water on stage.
Singing in the Rain theatre show by Jonathan Church Productions and Manuel HarlanMuseum of Engineering Innovation
The musical is known for the lead character, Don Lockwood’s, joyful rain dance – immortalised by Gene Kelly in the MGM movie – so deep water was needed to recreate the playfulness of Kelly’s performance when the star not only splashes but jumps into puddles of water.
However, there simply would not be the time to project enough down from rain bars for a five-minute dance sequence onstage.
The whole stage area needed to flood, with a supplemental supply of water to create the illusion of puddling.
Rain Coats (1945) by Gjon MiliLIFE Photo Collection
Engineers from Water Sculptures Ltd created a reservoir system beneath the stage for the big rain numbers and a stage floor based on garden decking that is solid enough for tap dance numbers and non-slip enough for the rain downpours.
From the show’s beginning, water sits within the reservoir area below the decking, then a combination of pumps from below and rain from above floods the stage in one minute.
Singing in the Rain theatre show by Jonathan Church Productions and Manuel HarlanMuseum of Engineering Innovation
While the engineering springs to life beneath his feet, the Lockwood character gently strolls the stage, setting the scene before launching into four minutes of a dancing and splashing tour de force.
Singing in the Rain theatre show with flooded stage by Jonathan Church Productions and Manuel HarlanMuseum of Engineering Innovation
Indeed, although warned they could get wet, many theatregoers expressly ask for front row seats so that they can get soaked and feel part of the onstage action.
12,000 litres of water with every show
Behind the scenes of the raining stage show
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