Stage Rain Hire
Rain FX for Singing in the Rain
This two
rain bar unit was designed for the big production numbers in ‘Singing in
the Rain’ and was very successfully used as in the pictures shown; in
fact it got an ovation twice every night!
A stage rake was created and the reservoir tank was put in the
orchestra pit to allow natural gravity collection and re-circulation of
filtered water.
An industrial pump sited in the tank fed a large bore pressure
hose which terminated on stage for the Stage manager to control. The pump,
pressure, individual rain bar output and drain down capabilities were
controlled in this unit.
The bars
are fitted to standard stage barrels using clamps and fed by flexible
pressure hose.
The Rain
bars were set just below the lighting bars and in close proximity to the
downward wash lights.
Testing
found optimum bar length and the output was adjusted to create fall onto
the acting area with minimal spill into other areas.
Control
allowed anything from very light rain in droplets to more water than the
actors can handle, without emptying the reservoir tank.
The shutter
delay in the pictures tends to make the rain look as if it is in long
trickles but in fact it falls as realistic droplets with practically no
shut off dripping.
The bars
were also made to rock by hand to vary the pattern a little..
The
equipment is now based in Nottingham and is available
for hire as an installed package, but hirer operated, there being too many
variables to D I Y, e.g.: water supply requirements, heads of pressure,
stage width, power supplies etc and of course, safety issues.
The kit can
be tailored to your venue and production, from a simple shower in a small
area to a full deluge across the width of your stage, in two rain
curtains.
Costs will
vary for complexity and delivery distance, but this equipment bridges the
gap between the fully touring kit with operators and the hosepipe over a
tray scenario!
The costs
should be well within the budgets of Regional Theatre and Amateur
productions for this sort of effect.
Advice can
be given on creating a ‘rake stage’ and perhaps alternatives, but
it is not part of the hire package.
The
equipment was designed by industrial water pumping engineers and theatre
practitioners with a view to making it Reliable,
Flexible and User practical.
For further
details and advice, contact
Telephone
0115 952 7346
Pictures
courtesy of Greasepaint Productions. Loughborough.
For any further information contact - Anyfxs@ntlworld.com