Playing With Fire, Pushing The Limits

Have you ever wanted something so badly before you'd die for it?
That was pretty much the kind of desperation I felt on August 14th, 2010.
I guess that's probably what they mean as "not begrudging one's life".

164 days of training, 3936 hours, 550 performers, 100 fire performers, 21 safety crews, 10 fire trainers, countless pails of fuel, spins, ignition, blisters and burns. - Bornfire.

It was probably the first performance I'd ever participated that has not achieved perfection before during rehearsals. With the usual cultural festivals, national day parades, chingay parades and school events, by the 2nd or 3rd rehearsal, everyone would be confident of their positions and steps. Not that we wouldn't. But the huge potential risks were present at every moment. Til Show Day, changes were apparent.

The initial trainings brought on a toll on each participant. Because of the different requirements of each trainer and prop, we were tossed about countless times. From poi, to staff, to fan and dart...this routine went on for 2-3 sessions. The elites had their places confirmed in their specific prop group. The weaker ones in techniques had to go through auditions again and again til they got selected. Those who couldn't get into any of the fire elements felt dejected and disappointed. So were the rest, who felt helpless as we watched our friends leave. Through the trainings, a few others dropped out, due to unavailability to commit, inappropriate attire, unable people-relate and not surprisingly, the fear of fire. Like me, many others can't believe we actually stick through the end.

Our item's called "Playing With Fire, Pushing The Limits". The story begins with a little girl (Charmaine :D ) finding a box of matches at home and ignores her mother's warning of 'Don't play with fire'.

This production was brought together by 450 youths age ranging from upper-primary, secondary and tertiary students, posing as carps. It's also a collaboration with Bornfire, a non-profit organization that works towards a goal of bridging differences and aims to break the stigma of what the public has of fire arts. In the fire element, there were 100 fire performers, 95% who has never been exposed to fire arts. 10 wonderful international free-lance instructors. We also had about 30 young men who donned themselves as carps, shooting pyrotechnics.

The inaugural Youth Olympic Games committee were about seeking new ways to bring Olympic opening ceremonies to new heights. Situated in the world's largest floating platform, performers were required to showcase their items in a huge water lake that was at 5cm high. We met so many obstacles.

The costumes got wet and weighs a ton as water soak up the material. Fire performers had our costumes heavily soaked in fire-retardant that smelt like Omega 3 Fish oil. >.<>

At such a time, the three obstacles and four devils will invariably appear, and the wise will rejoice while the foolish will retreat. - WND.

After warm-up and changing into our costumes, we were told that the weather was looking so bad, the show would be delayed. Of course, if it does rain, its impossible to even perform. We started to chant daimoku. Never in our other productions has SSA performers chanted less for the success of the show. But in SYOG, we had never come together to chant in unison before, due to the respect for many non-members that were present.

As we stood at the 3rd level of F1 pit and watched the weather at the platform, the clouds seem to drift nearer to the stage. I got so desperate, my body was shivering and I started to cry!! *faints*

You know how dramatic it is for girls to have mascara-streaked faces? At least, I always thought that way. And I couldn't believe it when aaron took my hands away from my face and exclaimed, attracting more people to look. UGLYYYY~ haha. But with out determined and united prayers, we overcame the weather!! :D


At every SSA performance, we did our best and the organizing committees for different shows know it. They have never got much to worry about. From the choreography changes to support staff and performers' discipline, we always try to excel, be better than we were before. And this item is definitely an enormous breakthrough, not just for us but everyone who knew the efforts we put into making this, the best ever.

We wanted to blow people's minds. We had to do things no one else has ever attempted. Our trainers were awesome role models and our safety crew were committed to their tasks. Of course, we had arguments and unpleasant moments. I was not everybody's best friend. But it was not avoidable. Because of everyone's dedication and passion for the show, ideas evolved and merged with others, they became more creative.

"The definition of a good show is where only we know what went wrong."
- extract from The Spark, Cirque De Soleil.

There were glitches here and there but thankfully, the camera angles caught all the right ones and the performers got back up on their feet almost immediately. We were pleased. We were proud. All because we knew it was the best we could offer to the world with all sincerity and passion, under those circumstances.

Countless human dramas took place throughout the last five months. It wasn't just our show. It was also human revolution in our individual lives. Obstacles came and vyed with each other. But we overcame all odds and transform into a dragon. :D