thunder sheet

British  

noun

1. a large sheet of metal that can be shaken to produce a noise resembling thunder as a sound effect for a theatrical production

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Example Sentences

All the drama feels fake, as if someone is backstage shaking a thunder sheet.

From New York Times

When Donner summons his storm, you see a thunder sheet shaking on one side of the stage, and Loge operating it.

From The New Yorker

When Paul Hansen goes to work, the tools of his trade typically include timpani, xylophone, bass drum, tubular bells, washboard, thunder sheet, glockenspiel and tambourine.

From Seattle Times

Top, who discussed the new piece with Tovey onstage before the downbeat, used terms like “the fear of being followed in the forest” and “death metal” to describe atmospheres in “Totem,” which requires such percussion instruments as a siren and a thunder sheet.

From Seattle Times

The Gothic not only uses every known modern instrument, its score also stipulates a "scarecrow", which makes a sound like a football rattle, and a "thunder machine", reflecting Brian's desire to go one step further than a metal thunder sheet.

From The Guardian