Join Skylight Circus for an exciting beginner friendly workshop in fire torch spinning!

No experience needed!

Fire performance is considered a high-risk activity.

Participants must fully understand the risks and accept responsibility for their own actions and behaviour.

Clothing

● When practicing fire skills you should wear thick, fire-resistant clothing such as cotton or denim. Do not wear synthetics such as tracksuits or puffer jackets. Synthetic clothing will ignite easily, burn quickly and melt before sticking to the skin.

● Avoid baggy clothing.

● Tie up long hair and protect with a thick hat made from non-synthetic material. Dampening your hair can work well too.

● Hair must be free from hair products which may be flammable.

● Clothing may come into contact with black oily sooty wicks, do not wear clothing that you do not want to get dirty.

Before Spinning Fire

● Fire skills should only be practiced/performed by those already competent with the props they are using. Practice with your prop unlit and in the daylight until you’ve gained a high level of competence before considering lighting it.

● Check all your props before every use, look out for loose or worn parts and damage to the props. If in doubt, NEVER USE THE PROP!

● BE SOBER! You should never use fire props under the influence of alcohol, drugs or some prescription medication.

Fuel

● The recommended fuel in the UK is standard liquid paraffin.

● People with sensitive skin can react to contact with paraffin.

● Long term exposure to fuel fumes can be hazardous to your health.

● NEVER USE PETROL or DIESEL.

Preparing to Spin

● Pick a suitable area. Don’t spin fire too close to buildings or trees, make sure there are no flammable materials nearby.

● Be aware of the weather. Never spin in windy conditions – if in doubt, don’t spin fire.

● Keep your refuelling area well away from your performance area and extinguishing area.

Fuelling Props

● Half fill a suitably sized metal container with the recommended fuel and submerge a wick until no more bubbles surface

● Excess fuel on your props must be removed before using the prop.

● Failure to remove excess fuel can result in drops of burning fuel flying off your props – this is extremely dangerous.

● Seal your fuel container or pour any remaining fuel back into the original container before spinning.

Whilst Spinning

● Light props away from your body and face and keep observers at a safe distance.

● Only use tricks and moves you are already comfortable performing. Fire spinning is not the time to learn new moves.

● Keep onlookers at least 3 metres away from fire props.

After Spinning

● Extinguish your props by fully smothering the wicks with a thick damp towel or fire blanket.

● NEVER extinguish props in fuel or water.

● Let your props cool down before refuelling.

Storage

● Make sure your props have fully cooled before storing.

● Do not store props which still have fuel on the wicks, If you have dipped a prop you must burn it off.

Fire skills practice and performance is considered a high-risk activity. Participants must fully understand the risks and accept responsibility for their own actions and behaviour.

Queer Publishing Presents Beginners Fire Workshop at Skylight Circus