Glossary

Fire performers, fire shows, and fire acts

Glossary of terms

Can't tell a fire eater 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 fire performers, our glossary will help you find your way around body burning, fire juggling, fire shows, fire-eaters, and fire breathers – all the good stuff that will help you pick the perfect fire entertainment package for your corporate or private event.

For more information on fire performances see our FAQs section.

Fire-eaters and fire-eating

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

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

Fire-eaters usually perform fire-eating as part of a fire show alongside other skills such as fire juggling or body burning.

Fire breathers

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. Fire breathers usually perform fire breathing as part of a broader performance that will also include skills such as fire spinning or fire dancing.

Fire performers

This term is used to describe performance artists who include fire skills in their acts. Fire-eaters, fire breathers, fire spinners, fire dancers and fire jugglers all fall under this heading.

Fire performers showcase a combination of skills within their fire shows and often work closely with other artists like street entertainers and magicians to provide a full range of corporate or personal entertainment packages.

Fire performers are also known as fire artists.

Fire jugglers

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

Fire juggler is also used as an alternative name for fire performers.

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

Fire shows

Fire shows can involve solo or group performances, and most often incorporate a combination of fire skills such as fire juggling, fire spinning, fire breathing, fire-eating and body burning.

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

Group fire shows are usually choreographed to a soundtrack whereas solo fire 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 (fire 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 flammable effect).

Fire dancers

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

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