Fireworks on Midsummer Common for Bonfire Night

Cambridgeshire’s very own troupe of fire performers, Wildfire, is about to wow crowds on Midsummer Common, but what does it take to be a fire dancer? Holly Willis went behind the scenes to find out

Francesca Dubery, co-founder of Wildfire Productions, showing her circus (and seamstress) skills

Watching a fire show for the first time is like returning to the open-mouthed wonder of childhood, when anything was possible. Thats how it felt watching a petite girl with alabaster skin as she did an acrobatic dance in the dark with a flaming hoop encircling her. Others danced around her with fans set alight, juggled flaming batons, or accomplishing a variety of awe-inspiring feats with bits of scalding circus equipment, all in time to music.

Its our job to make it look easy, says Francesca Dubery, co-founder of Wildfire Productions, Like fire doesnt burn and gravity doesnt apply, but it takes a lot of time hitting yourself in the face with juggling balls before you can perform.

Elma Jenkins, AKA Fleuriefire performing with a flaming hula hoop she welded herself

Francesca is clearly a determined young woman. At 22-years-old she has created a niche, running a successful company of circus performers in Cambridge, specialising in fire skills, but also offering acts including glow shows, stilt-walkers and costumed walkabouts. Wildfire performs at a mixture of events for the local community and charities as well as private parties and will be part of the free fireworks display on Midsummer Common on 5 November.

The reality of the job also means designing and sewing outfits, choreographing routines, making sure safety procedures are followed and training for performances.

People see the glamorous side not the blood sweat and tears behind it, says Francesca. You have to be dedicated for every glamorous hour you spend performing you will spend many many more training and preparing.

How dangerous is it?

Part of the thrill of watching a fire show is the danger, the sense that things could so easily go wrong and that the performers are taking a risk just to entertain you.

The first time I was burnt, I accidentally set fire to my jumper, says Elma Jenkins, a 25-year-old who works with Wildfire and has also set up her own business in Cambridge as a fire and circus performer, Fleuriefire.

You are taught to stop, drop and roll, so it wasnt bad. says Elma. You do have to get over it and accept the fact that you will lose your eyelashes at some point.

This all sounds rather dramatic, but for every two performers theres a fire safety technician backstage at shows and Francesca is quick to point out that we sell the illusion of danger.

We get occasional small surface burns but they tend to be less serious than the sort of burn you might get from your oven, says Francesca. Our fuel has a low flash point and low burn temperature so if it glances off your skin you dont suffer any damage. The hot metal of the equipment is actually more of a risk than the flames.

Even so, the adrenaline hit generated is pretty impressive. Francesca concedes. Each performer has different motivations for why they do fire shows but for a lot of us it is the thrill of performance, plus the amount of small children who look up at you in wonder makes all the hard work worth it.

Learning the craft

Both Francesca and Elma enjoy teaching circus skills as well. Elma worked with disadvantaged young people in India and South Africa and Francesca is happy to offer taster classes at parties although shes keen to direct people looking for full training to the Cambridge Community Circus where both women honed their skills.

I like doing circus workshops because it builds body confidence, says Francesca. People in office jobs dont spend much time focusing on their body and what it can do, so its a pleasure to share that and show people they are capable of more than they realise.

We have a lot of performers from martial arts and gymnastics backgrounds but I came into it with no prior training, says Francesca. The more times you try to put your foot on your head the closer you get. Its just practice and perseverance. You can improve incredibly quickly if you put in the work.

Francesca originally came to Cambridge to study Anglo Saxon and Norse but had already been bitten by the firefly bug.

The first time I ever saw a fire performance was at my 16th birthday party. I took one look and thought right, I am going to do that! When youre a teenager youre less scared.

At first glace a specialist in pre-Christian and Viking religions, who used to bunk off PE as a kid, might seem an odd candidate for a fire acrobat but Francesca admits she tends to chose the most unusual option available in any given situation.

I believe life is about being happy and making others happy. I have one life and one chance, so what is the most interesting choice I can make?

Setting up Wildfire was certainly an interesting and brave choice, but also, as it turns out, an extremely good one that doesnt just make Francesca happy, but brings enjoyment to audiences across Cambridgeshire.

Bonfire Night Fireworks!

Wildfire will be performing at the FREE Cambridge City Council fireworks display, 5 November, Midsummer Common CB5 8DJ. The whole event runs from 6pm 10pm with Wildfires show at 7pm, just before the first rocket goes off.

For more information visit cambridge.gov.uk/fireworks or call 01223 457555

Agenda offer!

If you are interested in booking Wildfire for an event or childrens party, just quote promotional code PAG1 when you enquire and youll receive 10% off your booking.

wildfireproductions.org.uk