Why I . . . perform with fire

Fire performance is a hobby that grew out of another of Sarah Alderson’s pastimes and is one that requires the kind of concentration that completely shuts off all thoughts of work.

That is part of its appeal, says Alderson, who is associate professor in primary care at the University of Leeds three days a week and a GP in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, for one.

Alderson has taken part in Morris dancing for the past decade. This led her to attend a local festival at which fire performing—where people dance or perform with items on fire—was taking place. “I went along to watch and loved all the fire performing and decided to get involved,” she explains. Soon after, she joined a local group called Hellfyre Magpie.

The performers often use clubs—sticks with a wick on the end that is soaked in paraffin and lit—when they perform to create patterns in the air. Alderson also owns fire fans, which have a wick at the end of each spoke.

“I have a general fascination with fire and I love creating pretty patterns. I love the mysticism and sense of intrigue around it,” she says. “While I’m performing, and even when practising, I’m completely involved in it—you have to be for safety reasons—which means I automatically forget about the day that just happened or what’s coming up next. It requires being present in the moment and is also great to keep fit, meet others, and distract from work pressures.”

Even watching others perform requires concentration, Alderson says. “You’re watching out to make sure they don’t catch fire.”

Safety is a crucial part of fire performance, she explains. “You need to be aware of the safety aspects as you can accidentally set yourself on fire. When that happens, people are quick to respond, and we always have fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and buckets of water. They need to be there to make sure that, if anything should happen, you can manage it.”

Alderson is not alone in enjoying what some may consider an unusual pastime. “I know a few NHS colleagues who take part. They’re not in my group but they do fire perform. I would recommend it as a hobby. It’s much safer than it looks, it’s really good fun, and it’s a good way of looking after yourself and getting out to do something.”

Given that performances often take place after dark, she has not found it difficult to fit them around her work schedule.

“We perform at local festivals and community bonfire nights,” she says. “We’ve also done a couple of weddings and a few Christmas light switch ons. We practise quite frequently from September into the winter, normally once a week leading up to a performance.”

Alderson has other hobbies to help her switch off after work including knitting, crochet design, hiking, and reading graphic novels. “It’s helpful to have something away from work and something social. It helps to clear your brain.”