Biography
Fusing violin, tango and fire performance with a unique combination of circus stunts this scorching hot pair’s exceptional show highlights their tremendous circus skills and impeccable musicianship.
Strings on Fire was formed in 2006 when daring circus stuntman & fire Performer Michael Collins (Nellie) approached innovative crossover violinist Rachele Wildmare (Mare) for lessons. After exchanging skills and creative ideas, the pair realized they had a unique show, a show built from romance and passion!
With 3 world tours behind them and shows for cabaret clubs, cruise ships, festivals and corporate events, their performance has been said to deliver “a glorious moment of the heart”.
High impact shows for corporate events are their specialty. Companies such as the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Hyundai, the Rugby League Players Association, Elders and NRMA have been wowed by the amazing talents of Strings on Fire.
The duo has also performed at leading festivals in Europe, UK, Canada & Australia, including Glastonbury, Das Fest and Port Fairy Folk Festival.
The duo present shows with fire, a dedicated show that features stunts and violins but does not include fire, and pre-show entertainment including Classical violin duets or fire performance for guest arrival. Ambush openings, which begin as a violin performance then escalate into a unique violin stunt show, have surprised and enthralled audiences the world over.
The musical content includes mesmerising violin solos and beautifully presented backing tracks.
FEATURES OF THE SHOW INCLUDE:
The World’s Most Dangerous Violin Duet: Mare standing on Finhead’s shoulders in heels and BOTH playing violin. Can be done with their bows on fire;
- Carmen: Finhead and Mare BOTH playing Bizet's Carmen on the one violin as they dance a tango;
- Bach Duel: The duelling violinists push one another into various acrobalance positions and choreographed moves, never missing a beat! Can be done with their bows on fire;
- Rola-Bola Violin: Finhead playing violin on a rola-bola with a rose balanced on his nose;
- Rocking Bluegrass Fiddle: "These Boots are made for Walking" - complete with body surfing fiddle solo in high heels;
- Finhead’s Sword to Knife-tip Balance to Mare’s exquisite playing, and many other stunts.
Testimonials
“Strings on Fire delivered an amazing performance, they were very easy to deal with and keen to fit in with the tone and theme of our evening. A wonderfully different and very entertaining duo.”
- Radio Rentals
“Brilliant! Fabulous! Outstanding! (Strings on Fire) were perfect for Midnight at the Oasis and contributed greatly to the success of the event. Nellie & Mare were a hit with the crowd and kept them entertained throughout the evening as well as providing one of the highlights of the evening with their stage show. They also were a pleasure to work with and have on site and we appreciated their flexibility…”
- Belinda, NYE 2013 Operations Co-ordinator, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney
“We’ve had lots of positive feedback about how entertaining (Strings on Fire) were and the quality of (their) performance. We also appreciate that (they) were very easy to deal with in the lead up to the big night.”
- V. Thomas, President, Biznet
“We used Strings on Fire for our corporate end of year Christmas party. We wanted an act that was highly unusual and impressed the crowd and we achieved the desired wow factor. Thank you!”
- Sarah Legoe (nee Peterson)
“This duo will inject excitement into any festival’s program. They have wowed the crowd as well as the hard-to-please festival critics…. We have had them perform at Ironfest for the past three years and found them to be professional in every way. I do not hesitate to recommend them to all event organizers.”
- Macgregor Ross, Founding Festival Director, Ironfest
“When we were approached to create an alternative style of entertainment for the Australia’s Best Cars Awards, Strings on Fire’s [Liqueur Flambé’s] involvement was no contest. We needed entertainers who would be comfortable and flexible enough to entertain in the round, and at close proximity to their audience. They needed to be able to alter their routine to suit their audiences during the evening. With Strings on Fire’s help, we fulfilled all our objectives and at the close of the night, not one guest had left. In fact, we had to turn the lights up as time ticked past midnight – 90 minutes after the close of the event.”
- Caryn Morgan, CMA Events
"Into the Blue has regularly incorporated Nellie as a solo artist into a range of corporate events. His latest production with partner Mare, Liqueur Flambé Show (Strings on Fire), is a revelation. It delivers a glorious moment of the heart and like all great acts, suspends time in a simple and enchanting narrative. I am now thinking of ways to use them more and more."
- Raymond Hawkins, Into the Blue Creative Walks
“Strings on Fire are in my opinion one of the most entertaining and versatile acts in the Sydney entertainment scene. They are highly experienced, extremely professional and over-all a pleasure to work with.”
- Susie Rugg, Flashpot Entertainment
“**** Amazing!!!”
- Peter Crowe, Marketing Manager, Bidvest
