The Rain God: A Journey Through Time, Science, and Showmanship

Introduction

PRONK! Theatre proudly presents The Rain God, an evocative production written by Jack Monaghan, directed by David Aula (Cement Garden, Vanishing Man), and enriched with original music and sound design by Robert Moutrey. This unique play intertwines the stories of a young Jack Monaghan with the historical figure Charles Mallory Hatfield, exploring themes of science, magic, and human ambition. Our journey began with a five-minute scratch performance in 2017 and evolved into an hour-long show that captivated audiences at the VAULT Festival, earning critical acclaim and awards.

Project Development

Initially, The Rain God started out as a short five-minute performance for The Pleasance Theatre’s scratch night, the piece was an instant success. Jack Monaghan’s performance, accompanied by Robert Moutrey’s digital music soundtrack, created a visually and aurally stunning experience, complete with a cloud that actually rained. This initial success led to our acceptance into the 2017 Litmus Festival, where we received two weeks of space to further develop the piece.

Collaborative Efforts

During the Litmus Festival, we enlisted the directing and dramaturgical expertise of David Aula. David helped us delve deeper into the personal and emotional aspects of the story while expanding its scope to include elements of Ancient American mythology, magic, and puppetry. The result was a 30-minute piece featuring projected rain clouds, the smell of petrichor, and a blend of science and character-driven storytelling. The live presentations at the end of the two weeks received glowing feedback from friends and family, encouraging us to push forward.

Challenges and Triumphs

As we prepared for an hour-long slot at the VAULT Festival in early 2018, we faced a significant challenge: Jack Monaghan, our writer and actor, was called away on a professional touring show. This unexpected turn led us to reimagine the story with the talented Ruby Bentall (Lost in Austen, Poldark) taking the lead role. Within a week, we expanded the script, infused it with even more science, magic, rain, and music, and rehearsed intensely. Our hard work paid off, earning us four stars in The Stage magazine and the VAULT Festival’s High Commended Award.

Synopsis

The Rain God tells the parallel stories of a young Jack Monaghan and Charles Mallory Hatfield, a historical figure who claimed he could make it rain. In 1916, amid a severe drought, the city council of San Diego hired Hatfield to fill their reservoirs. Despite skepticism from experts, Hatfield and his brother Paul set up camp near the Morena reservoir, releasing a secret chemical formula into the sky. Within two weeks, a record-breaking storm hit, filling the reservoirs but also causing catastrophic flooding that resulted in 23 deaths and widespread destruction.

The play explores whether Hatfield truly made it rain and questions the consequences of human intervention in natural processes. It draws parallels between Hatfield’s era and contemporary times, highlighting how society often turns to charismatic figures for simple answers to complex problems. Through the lens of pluviculture (the science of rainmaking), The Rain God examines themes of showmanship, agency, and the interplay between hope and disaster.

Conclusion

While The Rain God never progressed beyond its VAULT Festival run due to time constraints and the impact of COVID-19 on theatre, the project remains one of PRONK!’s most ambitious and rewarding endeavors. It showcased our ability to blend science, storytelling, and innovative theatrical techniques, creating a memorable experience for audiences. The production stands as a testament to our creative journey and a reminder of the possibilities that arise from determination and collaboration. We hope to revisit and further develop The Rain God in the future, continuing to explore the fascinating interplay between humanity and nature.

Multimedia: