COMING SOON
ARMA-InTheatre
program is a separate and independent yet complimentary branch of ARMA |
Professional Stage Combat
Certification Program
While the ARMA is not about stage-combat, ARMA InTheatre
is…and uniquely in a historically valid and martially sound manner. Though
our focus is not on choreographed theatrical fighting or stunt combat for some time we
have felt the genuine need for a martially sound and historically accurate program of
fight choreography instruction and certification.
We are excited to finally be able to sponsor a program series of workshop classes as
an alternative to more familiar and less-satisfying efforts. Designed
and headed by a noted expert on stage combat, ARMA InTheatre is a complete system of
weapon forms, allowing students to train from basic to advanced levels.
ARMA is proud to have distinguished instructor-practitioner Keith Ducklin offer his
own system for our Professional Stage Combat Certification Program designed for
performers, actors, historical fencers, and anyone seeking an authoritative alternative.
An open letter from Mr Ducklin:
Dear Reader,
The Professional Stage Combat Certification
syllabus which I have developed for ARMA-InTheatre, gives performers, directors and
living history enthusiasts an opportunity to train in safe, exciting choreography adapted
from historically authentic techniques. In particular, it aims to address the concern of
many of today's stage combat practitioners that too little modern fight choreography
adequately reflects the way our ancestors fought.
But don't get the wrong idea from these comments - there is
nothing dry or academic about our workshops! They are intended for enthusiasts who like
their physical and mental creativity stimulated through a mixture of hard work and humour.
I carry forward the philosophy of my own fight master John
Waller: "Reality First"! In fact, much of the technique you will learn studying
this syllabus has its basis in Mr Waller's teachings. At its core is the concept that a
well-crafted fight scene should carry the whole story forward, dynamically, thrillingly.
Think about the last fight you saw in the theatre, cinema or on TV. Were you: (a) on the
edge of your seat during the combat scenes, lost in the story; (b) exasperated by the
ineptitude of the fight direction or the actors involved; or (c) so fascinated by the
fancy fight moves that you stopped caring about the story and characters?
If either (b) or (c) sprang to mind then the ARMA method may
be for you. It offers basic classes in the following disciplines:
Medieval single-handed sword,
long-sword and two-handed sword;
16th-/17th-century rapier and
dagger;
late 17th-/18th-century
transition rapier/smallsword;
Adavnced material will cover
empty-handed/unarmed.
Joining a class and beginning your journey through the ARMA
InTheatre Professional Stage Combat Program is easy: just fill in the on-line form in the
Workshop page and we'll send you details of the next ARMA-InTheatre stage combat
event. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about this stage-combat philosophy,
you'll find it fully expounded in my co-authored book Sword
Fighting: A Manual for Actors and Directors.
Hope to see you at the next workshop!
Best wishes,
Keith Ducklin
Director, ARMA-InTheatre
Further enquiries: TBA
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