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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 (a) or (b) 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;
Empty-handed/unarmed.
Joining a class and beginning your journey toward ARMA
Professional Stage Combat Certification is easy: just fill in the on-line form 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: TBC |
