The Story of Fire is an enchanting fire-theatre show that will have you and your family mesmerized. Selah weaves dance, flames, storytelling and music into an unforgettable performance that is accessible for all ages to enjoy. Theatre meets Circus: originally trained as a classical Ballet dancer, Selah also learnt the circus arts and has been dancing with Fire for over 10 years across the globe.
She returns with her solo show The Story of Fire to warm you and your family’s heart. Entertainment meets Art: premiering at the National Arts Festival and touring since, The Story of Fire begins with small hand-held flames, builds up with a variety of different fire-dancing props and ends in the grand finale of the Fire Phoenix - dancing with 15 flames on her mythical body. Grace meets Elemental: This interactive performance starts with a unique offering - the co-creation of original Fire - the way our ancestors once did. By rubbing hard wood on soft, a small ember is created. Blown into life on a bed of kindling, the flame bursts into being and the fire-dance begins. Language meets Heart: The dance, music and poetry combine to form a magical and life-affirming expression of the mastery of elemental fire.
Reviews - National Arts Festival “Absolutely mesmerizing…” “Wow, I didn't know how much I needed to hear that message, you have deeply touched my heart, Thank you!” “This is hands down the best show we have seen at the festival!”
Please be aware that this performance is outdoors and weather dependent. Rain or high winds may necessitate cancellation for the performer's safety.
Should a performance be cancelled patrons will be refunded or may exchange their tickets for another performance
Credits
Written, Choreographed and Performed by Selah Liberty Joy
About the Artists
With a rich and diverse background in the performance arts, Selah loves what she does. Originally trained as a classical dancer (RAD Advanced 2 – Distinction), she has since devoted her time to contemporary dance, the circus arts (fire and flowarts, acrobatics and aerial silks), yoga, butoh and improvisation theatre. Selah is grateful to have traveled with her performances, giving shows across South Africa, and internationally in Holland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Azores.
She has also participated and facilitated extensively in multi-disciplinary theatre and circus workshops and summer schools around Europe and South Africa. Highlight performances include TedX CT; The National Arts Festival, Baxter Dance Festival; Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees; Boom Festival; Afrikaburn and the European Juggling Convention. Selah recently directed and performed in Earth Stories, a dance short film that premiered at the National Arts Festival. Selah loves collaborations with other artists and has performed with a myriad of dancers and musicians including Black Coffee, Goodluck, Sibusile Xaba, Kailash Kokopelli, Ann Jangle, Garth Erasmus, Gary Thomas and Dave Knowles.
The Story of Fire is Selah's first full length fire theatre show which premiered at the National Arts Festival in 2022 and she has been touring with it since. Selah is fascinated by the idea of being a channel for Nature and the unseen forces of Being. She carries within her art the intention of radiance, wholeness and healing, to bring together diversity through equality. Her desire is to continue collaborating with artists who share their love through their expression in a way that supports the evolution of this Earth and Humanity. Selah is passionate about embodiment; curious about the alchemical union of the physical and the unseen; inspired by nature; receptive to what is, and active in creating joyful life.
Selah also teaches and facilitates, dabbles in music and singing, enjoys writing, draws and paints, creates beautiful meals and goes on epic adventures. You can see more of what she does on social media @nature_theatre.
