This clear and comprehensive manual contains everything you need to know in order to create and portray armed stage fights with the rapier and dagger (or just a rapier) that are dramatically effective, and, above all, safe.

Starting with the essential concepts, including footwork, eye contact, targeting and distance, it then takes you step by step through all the key techniques:

• Performing attack moves including slashing and slicing, thrusting, and cutting
• Parrying moves and defending yourself against attacks using a single weapon or two weapons together
• Counterattacks such as taking control of your partner's blade and ripostes

Each technique is clearly described and extensively illustrated, with accompanying online videos demonstrating every move. Also included are sections on how to put together your own fight sequences, make them dramatically compelling and realistic, and convey your character's pain, wound or death.

Whether you are an actor preparing for a role with a sword fight, or a student learning your craft, this book will help you execute the techniques with precision and control, build your confidence and keep you safe. It also helps you to recognise when you may need to call upon the services of a qualified professional. For those already trained in stage combat, it will serve as an invaluable refresher as well as supplementing your ongoing training.

Whatever your current level of experience, Stage Combat: Armed is a vital resource for directors, actors, students and teachers, or indeed anyone looking to incorporate safe, effective sword fights into their stage productions.

Roger Bartlett is a professional fight director and Master Teacher for the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat (BASSC), the UK's leading provider of stage-combat training. He is also the author of Stage Combat: Unarmed.

About the Author
Roger Bartlett is a Master Teacher and Examiner with the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat (BASSC), the UK's leading provider of stage-combat training. He has taught at events and workshops throughout Europe and the United States; schools including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Jerusalem; and has been the stage-combat teacher at the Birmingham School of Acting since 2003 and City Lit, London, since 2004. He is the author of Stage Combat: Unarmed and Stage Combat: Armed (Rapier & Dagger), both published by Nick Hern Books. He is also an Equity-registered fight director and has worked on many varied productions for venues including Liverpool Everyman, the Bush Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bath, Southwark Playhouse, the Finborough Theatre, the Gala Theatre, Durham, and Warwick Castle - and companies including Paines Plough, Sell A Door and Iris Theatre. He was the Associate Fight Director for the National Theatre's worldwide hit One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean. For film, he has worked as part of the stunt team for the Vertigo Films production Hammer of the Gods, the popular TV show Vikings, and fulfilled a dream when he was able to kill a zombie or two in Apocalypse. Having started out as an actor, working on small-scale and fringe-theatre productions and student films, he still regularly acts and directs for the Company of Ten, an amateur theatre company based at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans. He lives in the city with his wife and cat. Visit his website, www.fights4stage.com.

Reviews

'An essential resource for any actor preparing for a period role. With clearly illustrated techniques and accompanying online videos, it ensures you can approach swordplay with both safety and flair'

* Spotlight *

'An outstanding tool... you will find Bartlett's teachings invaluable... complete with pictures and direct links to online video demonstrations, the very nature of the work is steeped in practicality... your go-to handbook'

* Broadway World *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848428577
Author Roger Bartlett
Page Count 312
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 410g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 148mm * 17mm