Carros de Foc is a company known for grand, public performances that linger in memory. They delivered a striking opening spectacle for the XXII Commonwealth Games after years of dedication, earning praise for the tireless work that culminated in the final months of preparation. The opening show fused art, engineering, and collective effort, turning the Birmingham event into a memorable moment for spectators and viewers around the world.
The production featured towering puppets and floating elements that astonished with their scale. Three puppets measured about one and a half meters, while others rose up to nine meters, and a single buoy reached roughly twelve meters. These colossal creations were crafted specifically for the competition’s opening, representing one of the most ambitious challenges ever undertaken by San Vicente’s urban theater company, led by Miguel Ángel Martín, a group with three decades of performance history.
Around thirty thousand people attended the gala, and the event was broadcast to audiences globally by the BBC. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were among the attendees. The Carros de Foc team included a dozen technicians who traveled to Birmingham for the production. The director described the challenge as producing the complex elements within a tight schedule and coordinating multiple collaborating companies—from Alicante to bring in diverse components under one roof. The team achieved an extraordinary level of quality in just two months.
In February, organizers of the international games selected San Vicente’s company from three finalists after a site visit to learn about their craft. Two months later, the contract was signed. Work began on the puppets and floats in April and May, with June and July reserved for shipping, assembly, and testing in Birmingham.
The result was a trio of gigantic puppets named Edward, Shakespeare, and the Madman. The installation included one barge, another buoy, and a third set of elements representing a printing house, all created in the San Vicente workshop. The project showcased the company’s ability to translate creative design into robust, transportable stageworks.
All of the fabrication used fireproof polyester, shaped from designs supplied by the organizers. The team faced a significant obstacle: moving enormous buoyant structures with electric vehicles. Miguel Ángel Martín explained the challenge of choosing vehicles capable of supporting 4,500-pound buoys while transporting them safely. The solution was found, and the team executed the plan with remarkable precision. The director noted that it felt almost surreal to attempt such a feat, yet the mission succeeded. In Spain, these electric vehicles had not previously been used in conjunction with large buoy displays, making the achievement especially notable. The setup would be assembled on site, with everything centralized for the Birmingham staging, but the work was clearly a joint effort across multiple teams.
As rehearsals began, the workshop crew made necessary adjustments. A core crew of fourteen managed puppet manipulation during practice, but after rehearsals concluded, further refinements were required to ensure optimal performance during the live event.
The Birmingham gala, held at Alexander Stadium, featured performances by notable artists and drew athletes from the Commonwealth’s 72 nations and territories. The overall success produced strong messages of appreciation and invitations to future collaborations. After the event, several puppets and floats were returned to the Carros de Foc workshop in San Vicente, with the prospect of future benefits acknowledged by Miguel Ángel Martín.
In addition to their Commonwealth Games work, Carros de Foc has appeared at Burning Man and has performed at other world expositions, including the Dubai World Expo, with engagements in South Korea and numerous countries worldwide.
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All Birmingham work was accomplished within a compressed two-month window, using fireproof polyester crafted to exacting designs. Miguel Ángel Martín described the challenge of using electric vehicles to move the large buoyant assets, noting that the team needed a partner capable of handling the heavy loads and synchronized transport. The team rose to the occasion, blending ingenuity with practical engineering to deliver a performance that impressed audiences globally. The vehicles, though new to this scale of production in their country, proved capable of supporting the 4,500-pound buoys and their movement in harmony with the floats and puppets.
Martín recalled the initial disbelief about whether such a feat could be achieved. Yet the team delivered, and the Birmingham performance stood out as an especially successful integration of art and logistics. The crew emphasized that preparation was a collaborative effort, with careful adjustments continuing through rehearsals to ensure everything moved in sync for the live show.
During the Birmingham event, the team worked to align the puppets with performances, adjusting triggers, timing, and cues to ensure a seamless experience for audiences. Reception was overwhelmingly positive, with praise from organizers and supporters who anticipated the company’s ongoing contributions to future projects. Some puppets and floats returned to the San Vicente studio, while others remained in use for upcoming showcases. The director confirmed there would be more opportunities ahead, reflecting the company’s growing international profile.
Beyond these flagship appearances, Carros de Foc has continued to appear at major festivals and expositions around the world, including Dubai, South Korea, and other regions. Their work remains a distinctive blend of storytelling, mechanical prowess, and inventive design that travels far beyond their home base.
In summary, Carros de Foc’s collaborations for the Commonwealth Games and subsequent global appearances demonstrate an enduring commitment to large-scale, spectacle-driven theater. Their ability to manage every stage—from concept to construction, transport to testing, and finally performance—highlights a versatile and enduring artistry that resonates with audiences everywhere.
Source attribution: San Vicente workshop.