How We Made It | The Olivier Rains for The Crucible | National Theatre

Set designer Es Devlin and production manager Heather Doole discuss creating The Crucible's incredible stage effect.
Last few weeks - The Crucible must end 5 Nov on South Bank before it's brodcast with National Theatre Live on 26 Jan.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/sh...
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[@CynBH]

Her line about water getting in any cracks reminded me of Waters of Mars: "Water is patient, Adelaide. Water just waits. Wears down the cliff tops, the mountains. The whole of the world. Water always wins."

[@NationalTheatre]

What a beautiful line

[@raspberryflowers]

some doctor who writing is just so beautiful and exquisite

[@charligoesslowlyinsane]

had the exact same thought. love doctor who.

[@thecinematicmind]

This is what I love about theatre.

[@NationalTheatre]

Beautiful, isn't it!

[@Thawney]

This is why technical theatre is my favourite thing ever

[@JT-xh1ih]

Every time I see a photo or video of a show like this and then see Es pop up, I immediately go "OF COURSE." She (along with all of the technical folks behind stage (hope to join you one day!)) is just so gd brilliant.

[@NationalTheatre]

A visionary designer

[@ChrisWilliams1962]

I went to see this a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The rain was totally unexpected and extremely impressive!!!

[@NationalTheatre]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@eddiecomerford8307]

Es is just a genius and the stage design on this show is insane. To walk through the doors to the Olivier and just hear the rain is goosebump inducing.

[@Shae29]

This reminds me of the rain used in angels in America at the national! That and the crucible are 2 of my favorite plays ❤

[@TheTurkaderr]

Reminds me of when I saw the US national tour of AN INSPECTOR CALLS in 1996 in Dallas at the Majestic Theatre. We had front row seats and were warned that we were going to get wet. We got soaked through our clothes to the skin because the rain was just streaming out from the stage and misting into the theatre, it was incredible!! It only lasted through the first scene but it left such a memory in me, even with the other amazing scenery. And I remember looking into the sidelines of stage right from my seat and seeing some of the electrics and wondering how in the hell the whole stage wasn't being electrocuted every single second!! It was an amazing show and I wish everyone could see that one online!!

[@user-uu2cj9ct3j]

Wow, just breathtaking. The Crucible is one of my absolute favorite plays. I so wish I could see it.

[@stephaniefuller8139]

It's a lot more sophisticated than when we, the tech department at The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, made it rain onstage back in 1998 for the production Everything Must Go. We had to use hosepipe and a hot water tap because the cold didn't create enough pressure! I believe this was the first time it rained in any stage in the UK, possibly the world. It was a real design issue at the time. Amazing how tech has developed. Hopefully will see this when it's out on tour at The Lowry.

[@thesmilingtouristguide4931]

Just seen the play at the Gielgud theatre. The rain was a stroke of genius. It does set the scene, the anticipation of something is about to happen.

[@diandraannemamo]

This effect brings me back to having watched A View from the Bridge, near the closing before Eddie gets stabbed and the cast huddle together as the water trickled red over them. That production was spot on, still branded on my mind. The water's use here surrounding the stage is just as interesting.

[@anneavenell3691]

Saw this on Wednesday. Absolutely stunning. So atmospheric.

[@upendasana7857]

It looks amazing

[@dot4207]

Looks like a magical experience!

[@kansavio]

breathtaking 🥲

[@Smith559]

Man that’s just amazing

[@Behind_the_Curtain23]

Amazing!

[@DancerGirl-24]

techies rule! Fabulous. Wish I could be in England to see it! But I do have to wonder why rain is essential to the Crucible?

[@imoviesartculture2408]

That's a theatre that I would chose over cinema

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you :)

[@marianagranja3629]

Hi!! I'm curious, why the rain? I thought the effect was absolutely fantastic!! I haven't read the play yet but I was wondering if the rain is an important element in the play or if it was an adaptation and your idea! :)

[@karinheinrich3417]

I suppose the Gielgud Theatre does not sport the rain, right?

[@andrewstorm8240]

Did people get wet in the front row:/) didn’t you get the water from the Thames?

[@NationalTheatre]

Front row were provided with ponchos :)

[@asmamohamed9279]

سبحانك ربي(وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً بِقَدَرٍ فَأَسْكَنَّاهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابٍ بِهِ لَقَادِرُونَ)

[@Unintended911]

Just walked out of this during the interval. Ineffingterminable and portentous.

[@andrewstorm8240]

But isn’t most theatre?

[@Unintended911]

@@andrewstorm8240 I've watched and loved a lot of theatre but yeah, tend to find most of it too long.

[@LiminalOutlaw]

that's just because you're not smart enough. You tend to intellectualize too much that it's actually dumb. lol

[@LiminalOutlaw]

@@andrewstorm8240 nope

[@healinggrounds19]

@@Unintended911 Stick to movies and TV.