Glossary

Fire Acts - Glossary

Glossary of terms

Can't tell a fire dancer from a fire breather? Not sure what's what in the world of fire performance? Our glossary of fire entertainment terms should be just the job to help you out!

Written by our talented performers, our glossary will help you find your way around body burning, fire juggling, fire shows and all the various names and types of fire acts – all the good stuff that will help you pick the perfect entertainment package for your corporate or private event.

For more information on fire performances see our FAQs section.

Fire-eating

This is a common term that refers to a specific fire performance skill. It is a technique employed by a performer in which they extinguish flaming torches in their mouth.

It is also used as an alternative generic title when referring to fire performers.

Performers usually include fire-eating as part of a show alongside other skills such as juggling or body burning.

Fire breathing

Not to be confused with fire-eating, fire breathing is all about creating flames rather than putting them out!

Fire breathing involves breathing fuel onto a flaming torch causing a large flame to appear, this creates the illusion that the performer is breathing fire. Many performers usually perform fire breathing as part of a broader performance that will also include many other fire skills.

Fire performers

This term is used to describe performance artists who include fire skills in their acts. Fire dancers and fire acts of all types fall under this generic title.

Within their shows, a fire performer will perform a range of fire related skills and often work closely with other artists like street entertainers and magicians to provide a full range of entertainment packages.

Fire jugglers

Fire juggler is a term that's used when referring to performers who perform a juggling routine involving fire staffs or clubs.

It is also used as an alternative generic name for fire performers.

Fire juggling is one of the most widely practised and well recognised of all the skills that involve fire.

Fire shows

Fire shows can involve solo or group performances, and most often incorporate a combination of fire skills.

The style of a fire show can vary greatly from street theatre performances to wedding or corporate entertainment.

Group shows are usually choreographed to a soundtrack whereas solo shows may be freestyle or choreographed.

Fire spinners

In its simplest form fire spinning is any sort of fire performance in which the performer spins or twirls objects that have one or more parts alight.

Most commonly fire spinners perform using equipment like fire poi (a poi comprises handle, chain or connector, and a flaming wick), fire staff (staffs can be metal or wooden and are lit at both ends), or fire fans (as the name suggests, these are fan-shaped aluminium or steel devices with multiple wicks for a stunningly fiery effect).

Fire dancers

Fire dancers are extremely dynamic performers, using techniques of fire spinning and twirling in combination with traditional and freestyle dance to create a vibrant effect during a performance.

Fire dancing can be performed on a solo or group basis. Group fire dancing is often choreographed and set to a soundtrack for maximum effect.

Body burning

Body burning is a particular skill performed by fire artists. The technique involves a fire performer running a flaming torch along their skin (don't try this at home folks!)

Body burning is often combined with fire-eating as part of a larger fire show or performance.