Fire shows

[fbhjr]

Of the shows Phoenix Swords does the fire shows are my least favorite, and
always have been.
Six years ago when we started Phoenix my wife and I were not sure if there
would be anyone other than the two of us in the group. We could pull of a
few sword fights and a few of our (goofy) stage shows, but there was only
so much we could do ourselves.

The way the group was first conceived was that it wouldn’t be a very formal
group, but an organization where people who wanted perform could work to
get in front of an audience. You bring what you’ve got; we’ll help find a
way to show it off.
There were two other disaffected ex-members of the group we left, both of
whom wanted to start doing fire as part of the act.
“We can work with that,” I told them. “Throw in with us; we’ll get you
bookings for fire shows.”
I had never envisioned us doing Fire Shows as a troupe. But, more of “you
want some fire at your show? I’ll bring the guy who does that with us.”

How times change.
This year we’re doing a faire where we were told “We want your fire show.
If you’re here why don’t you do a couple of the acts? We don’t need the
swords.”

I don’t dislike them. They get a good reaction. Few folks do as big of
one as we do. What we do is different from most others I’ve seen.

They’re also a lot of work. It takes a lot of extra equipment both in
props and in safety stuff. I always worry when we’re doing one.

Of course, the only “trick” I do in the show is a fire sword fight. Even
that only started because I thought the people doing it weren’t doing a
very good job with it. I thought I could do better, and got stuck doing it.

In order of preference I like:
1) Historical sword shows
2) Non-historical sword shows
3) (Goofy) stage acts (including puppets)
4) Fire shows

As I said, I don’t dislike any of them. And, we tend to get paid the most
for the fire too, so that doesn’t hurt.

But, it’s never been my big thing.

Comments

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

I feel for you, and honestly I can understand how torn you are.

I'm not crazy on the Fire stuff myself. It just adds a major element of trouble (as you say, "Worry") that could or could not happen.

I also think it's very lousy buisness for a [company] to call up at the last minute and try to pull fast ones across [your] nose. It is just adding to the underlying bitterness, and adds to the already heavy stress of just Getting Down There.

Much like in the Reenacting circuit. Some people take it a little too seriously and get [offended] when you choose not to show up for a hobby you pour money and time into with little 'tangible' return...Surely, the social / hanging with your buds, playing soldier aspect is all good and nice, but it's a hobby

What we really need is a total reversal in Lifestyles...We should be running around with swords during the week getting paid well for it, and spending our weekends at some shithole office with a bunch of babies - but having that be a choice and hobby, if anything for the entertainment value. This trying to escape the mundane day-job on the weekends but having to deal with the same babies during the week at the fun stuff on the weekend is a little wonky... ;D