Director William Elliot spent seven days working with the Broadway theatre's production team in New York, creating the water system and training the theatre's crew. He says: "We knew what was required and were able to replicate what we'd done for the West End production in 2005. For us it was a straightforward job, and working with the US production team has been a great experience."
Some 2.5 tonnes of water are stored in tanks above the stage and heated to a temperature of 40 degrees before being turned into a 12-minute downpour. By the time the water has reached the 21ft drop onto the stage, its temperature is a more tepid and comfortable 25 degrees. A tiled granite surface seals the stage floor area, whilst the water then runs into storage troughs located just below the stage front. The soaked performers are also prepared with several changes of costume.
Two of Britain's leading actresses have reprised their West End roles for this Broadway production of Friedrich Schiller's Mary Stuart. Janet McTeer stars as the embattled Mary, Queen of Scots, as she faces imprisonment at the hands of England's Elizabeth I, played by Harriet Walter.
The rain sequence is staged at the beginning of Act 2 during a meeting of the two Queens: the actresses become drenched during the incessant downpour. The show opens on 19 April.
(Jim Evans)
