Okay, so I found this article on this very site:
http://www.communitytheater.org/how_to/candles.htm

It seems straightforward enough, but I sorta want to take this concept to the next level:  I'd like to make it portable.

What I mean is, I'd like to take this concept and rig up a hand-held candle holder so that someone can pick it up, the candle will magically flare into life, and the candle can then burn until the actor extinguishes it.

I'd have to fit the whole works, in an unobtrusive and inconspicuous manner, onto a brass candle holder like these, with a small push-on switch to activate the heating element.



So I guess my question is: just how much juice will the heating element need to effectively light the candle?  Will a 9v battery do it?  Or something smaller, even?  I can't go much bigger than a single 9v, for obvious reasons.

Also, if anyone has experience with the heating element method in that article... is there a "warm-up" time before the match head ignites?  Since my actors have to be holding these things to press the switch, will they be holding them for a minute or so before the candle ignites?  Or is it a matter of seconds?

Thanks for all the help!  Not in a really big hurry, since this is for a show that I'm directing next Christmas... but I'm always thinking!

K

Good info, thanks for replying :)

It may be a while before I give this a whirl, as it's for a show that I'm directing in December 2009, but  I'm sure I'll get curious and test it well before then.  I'll definitely keep you posted.