Category Archives: News

Fireworks above the ice in Bristol

Posted on by

At-Bristol has commissioned Matthew to produce a rooftop firework spectacular for the launch of its ice skating rink and festive fair.

The evening, themed all around fire and ice, will see Matthew and his team firing a display from the roof and balcony of the hands-on science centre, which overlooks Millennium Square and the ice rink.

Matthew is no stranger to science centres; the presenter regularly works alongside science centre programmes and festivals across the country, often presenting his own science stage shows.

On 3rd November, he will be turning his firework production skills to the skies over the centre of Bristol, in what he describes as a family friendly show which will take the themes of fire and ice into the air.

Image credit: At-Bristol/Joe Meredith Photography

Image credit: Joe Meredith Photography

Matthew says that it is an appropriate, but unusual location to work.

“I’ve worked inside At-Bristol several times, but stepping onto the roof is something else. You get a really unusual perspective of Millennium Square, whilst the cathedral looks over your shoulders.”

“I can’t wait to put science into action… on the roof of a science centre. It’s a perfect location!”

The fireworks will take place after the festive lights switch-on at around 6:10pm. It is free to attend.

More information is available here: https://www.at-bristol.org.uk/event/millennium-square-festive-fair-firework-special or by visiting the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1725241424466238/

Matthew to headline at British Science Festival Beach Party

Posted on by

Matthew Tosh will be headlining at the British Science Festival Beach Party on 9th September.

Matthew at workIn his most ambitious project to date, Matthew takes over a Swansea beach and a rugby ground to stage a spectacular large-scale demonstration of creative science.

It’s big science and it is guaranteed to thrill.

Add in the beach party atmosphere and this can only be an evening of science communication with a difference.

Up in the air

Matthew will stage live and full-scale demonstrations to explain how chemistry, physics and engineering combine to create firework displays. But this is not an ordinary lecture or stage show with table-top demonstrations; Matthew will be using a nearby rugby ground to physically launch some of his demonstrations hundreds of metres into the air for his audience to see.

And then, in true Tosh-style, he brings the entire ensemble of science, maths and engineering together by unleashing a fully-choreographed musical firework display.Matthew on stage

Matthew’s creation forms the centrepiece of the chemistry-themed Beach Party, providing an energetic finale to the British Science Festival and an exciting opener for the Family Fringe weekend.

Expect to witness the chemistry of colour and light, feel the physical demonstrations of shockwaves and learn how designers use maths to exploit these properties in conjunction with cutting-edge digital control systems.

Matthew is renowned for his dramatic, informative and entertaining stage shows. He draws on over eleven years of professional fireworks and broadcasting experience to present his unique wow-factor shows that engage and inspire audiences of all ages.

Matthew Tosh on stageKeen to reach out to a non-traditional science festival audience, Matthew was quick to rise to the challenge of a beach party when he was first approached by the British Science Association earlier in the year.

“I’ve had a similar idea brewing for a while, not least because I have done several November displays on a beach. So why not create a large-scale science demonstration on a beach instead?”

The event is FREE to attend thanks to generous support by The Royal Society of Chemistry, but you’ll need to register for entry to the party using the link below.

Tickets and registration information: https://www.britishsciencefestival.org/event/the-beach-party

The British Science Festival, hosted by Swansea University and supported by Siemens, takes place between 6 – 9 September, with events on campus and across the city of Swansea. You can find out more about the festival and what’s on by visiting the British Science Festival website.

Rising to the challenge at Cheltenham Music Festival

Posted on by

“Is it possible to do fireworks to music indoors?” said the Music Festival Manager.

That’s precisely what Matthew has done in his latest project.

Chelt Music Festival 2016

As part of a concert entitled “Baroque Favourites and Fireworks”, Matthew was commissioned to design an indoor fireworks display at this year’s Cheltenham Music Festival.Barokksolistene and Matthew Tosh

The festival team approached Matthew in 2015 with an embryonic suggestion, citing it as being possibly too ambitious. Not one to be put off by such a challenge, Matthew worked with the production team and the venue managers at Cheltenham Town Hall to create a spectacular finish to an energetic performance by the Norwegian group Barokksolistene.

“A challenge with this sort of performance is ensuring that the performers are not put off once the pyrotechnics start.” said Matthew, following his introduction and briefing with the orchestra.

For many of them, this was the first time that they’d encountered pyrotechnics close up.

There are safety and practical considerations too as Matthew points out. “We don’t want to damage anything on stage and we certainly don’t want to make woodwind or brass players cough during the concert.”Waterfall units

Matthew’s preparation and careful choice of effects certainly paid off. The audience smiled and were visibly engaged as the fireworks began in the final movement of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Barokksolistene Musical Director Bjarte Eike insisted that Matthew took two bows to a packed out Town Hall following the finale, which included waterfall effects, mines, airbursts and fountains, all choreographed “in perfect time”, according to several of the string players.

The concert was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Presenter Fiona Talkington clearly enjoyed the spectacle. Commenting afterwards, she described Matthew as “a real pyrotechnic artist” as she recounted the cascades of colour and fountains rising on the steps in front of the organ.

Acting Festival Manager Anna Pickton said “What a fantastic and exciting element to have in a classical music concert. It added an unexpected ‘something extra’ to the evening.”Matthew Tosh in rehearsals

British Firework Championships 2015

Posted on by

British Firework ChampionshipsThe British Firework Championships take place this week and Matthew has been invited to be on the crew for the Gala Fireworks competition display.

A regular face at the annual Plymouth event, both as a supporter and participant, Matthew has crewed on several competition shows to date. He is favoured for his logical, calm, focussed approach and attention to detail under high-pressured competition scenarios.

Matthew said: “It is a strong line-up this year and competition is going to be stiff. I’m looking forward to working with Gala Fireworks.”

The teams competing in this year’s competition are:

Tuesday 18th August

  1. Phoenix Fireworks
  2. Spyrotechnics
  3. Essex Pyrotechnics

Wednesday 19th August

  1. Fantastic Fireworks
  2. Gala Fireworks
  3. 1st Galaxy Fireworks

Each company is required to fire a ten-minute display and is judged on various aspects of the display including the artistry, use of effects, timing, safety and even the actual rigging.

The shows are fired from Mount Batten breakwater and the main viewing area is on the Hoe. It’s a free event and more information can be found by visiting www.britishfireworks.co.uk/bang.

Summer gigs – Battle Proms concert series

Posted on by

Matthew will be supervising fireworks for the 2015 series of the Battle Proms open air concerts.Battle Proms fireworks - Hatfield House

Bristol-based Skyburst, The Firework Company has commissioned Matthew to manage the rigs at four out of the five concerts which take place across the country during July and August.

Favoured for his musical show experience and safety awareness, coupled with his methodical approach and attention to detail on firework displays, Matthew will oversee the on-site operations for the displays which are fired to live orchestra.

“These shows cannot be fully computer operated as they are being choreographed to live music. Each performance will be slightly different, due to changes of tempo by the conductor and orchestra.” said Matthew.

When asked how fireworks are timed to live music, Matthew added: “We split the show into programmed segments. We follow the orchestral score and fire the relevant segment when that bit comes up in the music.”

“Some of the crew (including me!) need to be able to read music so that we can fire in time with the orchestra, but we still need to anticipate some of the shots to get the timing spot on. It does take skill and practice.”

Matthew will be managing the fireworks at Burghley House, Hatfield House, Highclere Castle and Ragley Hall.

And for those asking (yes, we know several of you like to know!), he will be pressing the fire buttons at Burghley House, Highclere Castle and Ragley Hall.

For tickets and concert information, visit www.battleproms.com.