By Crimson Cat

You studied classical ballet from age 4. What inspired you to learn ballet at that age? When did you decide you wanted to try other forms of dancing?

Ballet wasn’t nearly dangerous for me, fire dancing and acrobatics fitted the bill. I was never really graceful enough either, I always had chocolate or grass stains on my tutu.

You performed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. How was that for you? What was your most memorable moment?

I remember thinking how on earth do football stars concentrate on a game in a stadium… the noise of that many people is unbelievable!

You’ve virtually travelled the whole world, what is one of the most interesting places you’ve been to?

Morocco is incredible, so much colour, such rich history and the most beautiful people. It’s a dream.

Is there anywhere in the world you would like to visit now?

I’ve never been to Antarctica… not much demand for carnie folk down there.

In 2002 you started teaching at Fire Dancing Underbelly. When and where did you learn to dance with fire?

I’ve been to N.Z to learn poi and Samoa to fire knife… those guys are crazy, big tricks, big fire. I’m a bit of a tom boy so it was great to spend my days hanging out with the lads throwing knives around for a week.

You perform with fire hoops, fire fingers, cross sticks, poi, single staff, double staff and clubs, and can also walk on stilts and are an expert with hula hoops. What’s your favourite routine?

The human skipping rope for sure… Two strong men throwing me around, so much fun. Circus trick tease will be performing at Red Bennies very soon.

You play with real fire. Have you ever been burnt or had any near misses?

It gets pretty close to me, I don’t need to wax my legs that’s for sure.

Is there anything else you would like to learn and could incorporate into your dancing?

I’d love to do it flying through the air, on a bungie line, in the big top, with lions underneath!!!!! Wowsers.

Your costumes look amazing. Do you get to design them yourself?

Tim Tropp makes them for me, he is more than amazing. He is the beez kneez.

Where do we get to see you perform next?

Red Bennies is my favourite place to perform, but the UK is calling. I have a season at the Edinburgh Fringe coming up.

Malia Walsh is performing for the Red Bennies Cabaret on Saturday the 1st of May.