Review: Skin of Fire, Upper Field, The Domain

It’s still spectacular stuff but doesn’t quite measure up to the group’s previous show, Janet McAllister writes.

French pyrotechnic geniuses Groupe F set their own bar extremely high with Breath of the Volcano in 2013.

Almost inevitably, this new spectacular doesn't quite clear it, partly because the astonishment of novelty has worn off. Stunning showers of rainbow sparkles? We're the spoilt kids who saw that last time.

The themes, while they didn't feature two years ago, also feel familiar: Auckland traffic (yawn) and the World War I centenary. Images of soldiers projected on to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and "bomb" explosions feel like facile entertainment rather than homage.

There is a moment of possible subversion when bombs seem to build the museum - which, in a way, they did - but given the timing of the announcement that troops are being sent to Iraq, the computer game aesthetic leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Yet even for those who are blas about blazes, this is still an overwhelming display. It starts in the stars where we're joined by beings in white-glow bauble suits, looking like sweet-natured Stormtroopers (the soundtrack gives us cute "alien" babble). A spinning world projection gets covered in red and green scales (presumably a salamander's skin of fire), then spotted fur, then chains; the illusions are clever.

We see a flare to rival Marsden Point's, before it's joined by multiple fires, set off rhythmically. Also fire-dancing on the slope are several burning stick figures in orange and green - although they're too small to fully appreciate, they glow eerily.

Moments of slow, delicate prettiness contrast with utter bombast, and the music works against any over-dramatic interpretations.

On Thursday, the full moon contributed to the colour-wonder, as sprays of glitter-gold crowned the museum. Gates open at 6.45pm; the show starts at 9pm (Tiny Ruins will play beforehand). East side seats are best.