Le Maitre Pyrotechnics Explained: A Guide to Choosing the Best Products for Your Events
In Partnership with Le Maitre
Whether you're looking to add a special touch to your next pantomime or venue performance, planning a TV shoot or outdoor festival, incorporating pyrotechnics can transform a performance and captivate an audience.
Le Maitre offers a wide range of pyrotechnic products for various event types, from small stages to large-scale productions, including environmentally conscious options.
This guide offers an overview of Le Maitre's catalogue, detailing the features and potential applications of their products. It also includes practical advice on selecting suitable effects for different types of events.
Before looking at specific effects and their uses, it’s helpful to understand the two main product lines in Le Maitre’s portfolio, which are organised based on usability.
1. Pyroflash
Known as the ‘plug and play’ range, this collection is valued for its ease of use. Each effect is contained in a single two-pin pod that simply ‘plugs’ into a specially designed Le Maitre flash pod holder. Once the effect is fired, it can be unplugged, discarded, and replaced.
This range is popular for several reasons: first, for novice pyrotechnicians who are more comfortable with effects that do not require wiring, and second, for productions with a limited number of effects per performance that can be reloaded quickly between shows.
2. Pro Stage
Le Maitre’s Pro Stage II Range is intended for professional pyrotechnicians, as it requires knowledge of how to wire each effect, the correct holders, and features both T1 and T2 products (T2 products require insurance and certification for purchase and use). The Virtually Smokeless Range within Pro Stage II mimics the look and sound of standard effects but is produced using technology that significantly reduces smoke output. The Pro Stage II range includes several collections: the Gerb, Mine, Comet, and Special Effects Collections.
Stage Pyrotechnics – Perfect for Panto
Pantomimes and similar theatre productions frequently choose the Le Maitre Pyroflash range for its simplicity and convenience. The single-use pods are easy to operate and can be quickly replaced after each performance. These productions often prefer effects that add visual enchantment to storylines. This is why the Le Maitre Pyroflash range remains a favourite choice for classic pantomimes and stage shows. Here are some top picks:
Effect: Theatrical Flash
Description: Quick flash and bang.
Sizes/Colours: Small, Medium, Large, Loud Report, Extra Loud Report, Red, Green and Amber.
Use/Fun Fact: The Theatrical Flash was the first product ever made by Le Maitre and marked the beginning of the Pyroflash ‘plug and play’ range. This close-proximity pyrotechnic was designed specifically for the entertainment industry and is widely used in pantomimes for its simple yet effective visual impact, often marking magical entrances and exits.
Effect: Silver Star
Description: A quick flash, puff of smoke, and magical stars falling around it.
Sizes/Colours: Small, Medium, Large, Red, Green, Amber.
Use/Fun Fact: Another panto and theatre favourite, this special effect is often used to enhance magical or exciting moments within a production, such as a fairy casting a spell or highlighting the end of a song.
Effect: Golden Star
Description: A very magical, thick golden mushroom effect with thousands of gold stars falling as it clears.
Sizes/Colours: One size – around 8ft high and 4ft wide.
Use/Fun Fact: With its mystical and unique look, this effect has a variety of uses and is popular purely for its appearance. It’s currently used in a world-famous theme park as the highlight of one of their parades.
Effect: Coloured Smokes
Description: A small pop followed by a slowly releasing plume of smoke in vivid colours.
Sizes/Colours: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, White, Orange, Purple, Black. Medium (5–7 seconds), Large (25–30 seconds).
Use/Fun Fact: This effect is ideal for indoor use, as minimal wind is needed to achieve the desired impact. Le Maitre offers a range of colours, with green being the most popular choice—often featured in performances calling for a certain green-hued witch who defies gravity.
Effect: Flame Projectors
Description: A short, slender upward burst of red flame.
Sizes/Colours: Red, around 2–3 seconds.
Use/Fun Fact: This simple yet effective product is a great option for those wanting a real flame effect without needing a flame machine or propane. It lasts for a few seconds and is bright red in colour.
Effect: Electronic Flash Gun
Description: The handheld device shoots a brilliant ball of fire to a distance of 9 to 12 feet before vanishing.
Sizes/Colours: One size – 9–12ft natural flame.
Use/Fun Fact: A favourite in pantomimes, especially for witches or magical characters who can shoot fire from their hands. This striking effect adds excitement and showcases the character's power, captivating audiences during performances.
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Stage Pyrotechnics – Perfect for Musical Performances on Smaller Stages
For gigs, concerts, and performances on smaller, local theatre stages, Le Maitre provides a range of Pyroflash effects that bring the excitement of large-scale shows to more intimate spaces. Designed for venues with limited space or safety distances, these effects deliver a powerful visual impact without the need for highly trained stagehands or complex wiring setups. With their ease of use and plug-and-play simplicity, these Pyroflash effects are ideal for local productions aiming to add pyrotechnic magic that stands out on stage.
Fun Fact: A "Gerb" is the term used to describe a range of effects, including a jet, mini gerb, long-duration gerb, waterfall, and cascade. The gerb itself is the plume of sparks shooting into the air, which can vary in colour, height, and duration.
Effect: Silver Jet
Description: A large plume of sparks with a whooshing noise, lasting around 1 second and propelled upwards.
Sizing/Colour: Standard Size (20ft) or Reduced Height (10ft) – silver.
Use/Fun Fact: This effect is one of the most iconic in pyrotechnics, known for its versatility. Whether framing a red carpet, adding impact to the finale of a high-energy performance, or celebrating a winner, it’s often used in lines of three or more for maximum visual effect.
Effect: Mini Gerbs
Description: Similar to the Silver Jet, with a large plume of sparks and a whooshing noise, but more customisable in terms of colours and durations.
Sizing/Colour: Available in Silver, Shimmer, Flitter & Gold, with heights of 12ft or 10ft and durations of 3, 7, or 12 seconds.
Use/Fun Fact: These mini gerbs are often seen on smaller stages, while larger jets and gerbs in the Pro Stage II range are used for arena tours. For small gigs, concerts, and performances, these effects are perfect for achieving the desired visual impact without requiring large safety distances.
Effect: Paper Glitter, Streamer, and Confetti Cartridges
Description: A projected effect that can be customised with biodegradable paper glitter, streamers, or confetti.
Sizing/Colours:
- Streamers: 30 or 50ft Projection; Paper - Multi, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Orange, Purple & White; Metallic - Multi, Gold & Silver.
- Paper Glitter: 20ft – Gold, Silver, Green, Blue, Red, Purple, Pink, Multi.
Use/Fun Fact: All fallout is fully biodegradable, and with a willing stage crew on hand, cleanup is quick and easy.
Effect: Mines
Description: A pop followed by a thick, directional burst of brightly coloured stars.
Sizing/Colours: Available in 12ft and 20ft in the Pyroflash range, with multiple colour options – Green, Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink, White/Silver, Crackle, Flitter, Shimmer & Gold Glitter, with or without a tail. (A "tail" is a plume of white sparks that follows the coloured stars.)
Use/Fun Fact: Mines are a favourite in musical performances, adding punch and flair at pivotal moments to elevate the stage presence. Le Maitre’s Pyroflash mines are popular for smaller venues and theatres, providing the dramatic impact of pyrotechnic effects without needing the high ceilings or large stages of arena tours.
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Outdoor Pyrotechnics – Perfect for Festivals, Sporting Events, or Outdoor Performances
Pyrotechnics can also be effectively used in outdoor settings, including gigs, festivals, sporting events, and other open-air occasions. These effects can provide a distinct visual impact, with options that remain vibrant even in daylight, reducing the need for low lighting. Incorporating pyrotechnics into outdoor events can enhance the overall atmosphere and visual experience for attendees.
Effect: Smoke Mines
Description: A large shot of coloured smoke projected into the air, reaching up to 100ft.
Sizing/Colour: Available in Grey/Black, Blue, Green, Lime Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, and Yellow, with height options of 30ft, 60ft, and 100ft.
Use/Fun Fact: A showstopping effect perfect for daytime use; the vivid colours of smoke mines remain bright even on a sunny day. This effect has been used in many high-profile artist performances and festivals.
Effect: Comets
Description: A single, brightly coloured star is projected to the specified height, with or without a sparkling titanium tail.
Sizing/Colour: The Pro Stage II Comet Collection offers multiple options: Comets (20-150ft), Tracer Comets (20-60ft), and VS Comets (20-60ft), all with a MultiShot option. For outdoor use, the 60-150ft collection is recommended. Available in multiple colours, with options for tails, crackles, and MultiShot effects.
Use/Fun Fact: Le Maitre’s large outdoor comets are often paired with other Le Maitre products to highlight energetic songs or breathtaking moments. Seen at globally recognised festivals and arena tours, this effect shines brightest in dark environments.
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Special Effects for the Big Screen
Special effects and pyrotechnics extend beyond theatres and concerts and are widely used on screen. From television dance competitions using smoke machines and gerbs, to Hollywood epics featuring mortar hits and flame machines, pyrotechnics play a crucial role in enhancing all forms of entertainment. Le Maitre’s effects have featured in numerous productions, adding that essential spark to create unforgettable moments on screen.
Effect: Long Duration Gerbs
Description: A plume of sparks projected into the air, creating a beautiful stream of light.
Sizing/Colour: Available in Silver or Gold, in various heights and durations.
Use/Fun Fact: Le Maitre’s Long Duration Gerbs are commonly seen at televised award ceremonies, major sporting events, and reality TV shows. For maximum visual impact, they’re often lined up in a row along a red carpet, stage front, or incorporated into set designs.
Effect: Mortar Hits
Description: A sudden burst of a large, bright yellow fireball, accompanied by a deep bang and followed by a rolling cloud of smoke and flames.
Sizing/Colour: Available in various sizes, including Mortar Hit (15ft H x 7ft W), Mortar Hit With Report (20ft H x 10ft W), and Mini (6-8ft H x 3ft W).
Use/Fun Fact: These effects are popular on stage but also frequently used on screen, where they mimic explosions in scenes depicting conflict.
Effect: Robotics
Description: A small white flash, followed by a burst of silver sparks and white smoke.
Sizing/Colour: Available in various sizes: Half Load (3ft), Small (4-6ft), Medium (6-8ft), Large (8-10ft), SPD#1 (8-10ft), Directional Effect.
Use/Fun Fact: Robotics are used in film, TV, and theatre to simulate electrical faults in fuse boxes or equipment. These systems accurately recreate effects like sparks and power outages, adding realism while ensuring cast and crew safety.
Effect: Line Rockets
Description: Small, whistling rockets with a sparkling tail, running along a steel cable and attached to the line by a rocket holder.
Sizing/Colour: Available in durations of 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds.
Use/Fun Fact:Often used in scenes depicting electrical malfunctions, adding visual drama. They’re also ideal for action sequences, where sparks simulate flying debris.
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Pyrotechnics for Large Arena Tours
Le Maitre provides pyrotechnic effects that have become highlights in performances by some of the world’s biggest artists. From pop and rock concerts to vibrant country music festivals, pyrotechnic effects elevate the visual spectacle and audience experience.
Effect: Waterfall
Description: A plume of sparks falls from the ceiling, creating a curtain of gold or silver, mimicking a waterfall.
Sizing/Colour: Available in Gold, Silver, and Glitter, with various heights and durations.
Use/Fun Fact: Waterfalls are sold as individual effects; to achieve a full water curtain, several units are aligned on a harness. A cascade variant produces a wider, bushier effect and requires users to be insured and licensed due to its T2 classification.
Effect: Mines
Description: Propels a shower of shimmering, coloured stars with or without a silver tail, creating a directional explosion of colour.
Sizing/Colour: Available from 12ft to 60ft, in a variety of colours, including a VS Range, which is a favourite in arena tours.
Use/Fun Fact: Mines are perfect for creating a 'wow' moment during key performance peaks. Major artists use them to enhance their shows, adding memorable highlights that captivate audiences.
Effect: Falling Stars
Description: A very bright star falls from a height of 25ft or 35ft, extinguishing just before it reaches the floor.
Sizing/Colour: Available in various colours, 25-30ft.
Use/Fun Fact: Suspended from a truss, Falling Stars create a magical effect, either individually or in groups, and are a current favourite in global tours.
Effect: Airbursts
Description: A ball-shaped flash is followed by a burst of spherical sparks, with minimal smoke or fallout. Available in silver or white stars, with or without a loud report.
Sizing/Colour: Silver, Gold Glitter, available in Small, Medium, and Large.
Use/Fun Fact: A high-impact aerial effect, Airbursts are often timed with music, adding dramatic flair.
This is just a glimpse into the Le Maitre pyrotechnic catalogue. Le Maitre is also known for its durable and sustainable smoke, haze, fog, and special effects machines. For more details on their products, contact the Stage Electrics team now. If you’re looking for guidance on the perfect effects to elevate your next performance, get in touch—we’re here to help.
N.B. – Always read the safety guidelines when purchasing and using any special effects. The Le Maitre website provides all the safety regulations, SDS Sheets, and CE Certificates for download. For more information on safely using pyrotechnics in your performance, read our blog here.