Stage & Screen Combat – Ages 7-18

Course outline

Day 1

During the first day we will explore the techniques of broadsword focusing on footwork, targeting and safely communicating with our partner. These techniques will be the foundations of building our fight choreography. For those who want to take the exam, we will use this day to ensure you are confident in any demonstrations of technique you will perform on the day.

Day 2

During the second day we will develop the performance side of your fight choreography by working on scene work, characterisation, intention, reactions and partner work. Throughout the day we will also work through the theoretical side of stage combat, focusing on practitioners, history and technical terms.

Day 3

Our main focus on this day will be to bring everything together including adding elements of costume, music and performance spark! Throughout the day we will self-evaluate and peer-evaluate. Not only will this help prepare the exam students but it will also teach all students the fundamental task of learning to self-critique and take on feedback.

Day 4

In the morning, students who have opted-in will take their exam, presenting their fight in a pair and receiving their grades. Students who haven’t opted into the exam will also have the opportunity to perform their fight. In the afternoon, we will create an epic group fight to round off the course!

This is a four-day full-time course which runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. The course will be taught at our studios on Downside Road, Bristol.

Optional qualification

You can obtain a qualification by taking an optional exam at the end of the course. You will present your combat scene before the instructors, who will then grade you and provide you with a certificate.

There is an additional charge for the optional qualification:
Level 2 (age 7-9) – £30
Level 3 (age 10-12) – £30
Silver Level (age 13-15) – £40
Gold Level (age 16-18) – £40

Based on your scores in the exam, you will be given one of the following grades:
Pass – 40
Merit – 60
Distinction – 80

Course Leader

This course is run by Maisie Carter of MC_Combat, along with lead junior instructor, Emily Evans. They are both very passionate about creating an environment where young students can learn to love their individuality and uniqueness through their training.

MC_Combat’s mission is to give power and voice to our students by creating an inclusive space to grow and be bold. Their instructors are highly trained experts in the field, who approach their work with professionalism, respect and a huge dose of fun. They stand for making a difference by making diversity, equality and friendship the pillars of their ethos.

Recent fight directing credits include Comedy of Errors at The Globe, Gone Too Far at the National Youth Theatre, The Commitments UK Tour, The Clinic at Almeida Theatre, Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre and Fair Play at Bush Theatre.