Fencing: How To Fight Safely In A Stage Production

"Martial Arts" Article
Article Directory Home

All Categories

Recreation And Sports

Martial Arts

Fencing: How To Fight Safely In A Stage Production By Expert Author: Craig Harkins \| Article Abstract
Word Count: 398 words \| Views: 413 view(s)

Some of the most thrilling performances on stage involve staged combat. For example, imagine Hamlet without the many battles that take place? Or Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance without the great swashbuckling of the pirates? Regardless of what type of performance, from comedy to tragedy, whether it be a play or a musical, there can be combat scenes involved.

It is never a good idea to encourage actual combat in a production, as this would be very hazardous for the actors. This is why productions have to create a convincing appearance of combat. Generally, there is a carefully crafted set of moves designed by professionals. These will borrow moves from other combat arts, but they are modified for the actors' safety. As a whole, these moves are referred to as "stage combat."

One of the most popular kinds of stage combat is called stage fencing. Stage fencing takes a lot of the moves and methods that are used in traditional fencing, but changes them. One example is that a move might be changed so that the sword does not go near an actor's face.

Stage fencing may utilize many different weapons. Among those used are the stage foil, which looks much like a normal foil, the dagger, the broadsword, rapiers are also occasionally used. Stage combat moves will vary with the weapon that is being used; for example, a staged rapier fight will be much more nimble and quick, than one utilizing larger weapons. The weapons used may be real, or they may be props designed to look like real weapons. The props are less dangerous, but take much more work to look realistic than real weapons.

In most productions, the stage fencing routines are developed by the choreographer of the play or musical. For larger scale productions, or for routines involving many intricate techniques, a separate fight choreographer may be used. These choreographers are trained especially in stage combat, and are more skilled in developing flashier routines.

So, as it is done in a theatrical production, it is quite common. The scenes are designed to look dangerous and exciting, but they are the result of lots of practice, at different tempos. The moves can't change while the actors are on stage, as it is too hazardous to do something different than expected with weapons. But, if it is performed well, these scenes look marvelous and action-packed and like a real fight.

About the Author/Author Bio

Craig started fencing after seeing the brief clips of Peter Westbrook winning the Olympic Bronze medal in 1984. Since then, he's been a compeitor, coach, organizational officer, and finally a happily married recreational fencer. Craig also runs the leading web site for the sport of fencing and is a credentialed Olympic reporter.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Fencing--How-To-Fight-Safely-In-A-Stage-Production/150455

Article Tags: fencing, stage foil, rapiers, sport

Article Submitted: 2008-06-27 | This Article has been viewed 413 times.

More "Martial Arts" Related Articles

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Martial Arts" article category.

People interested in the above article "Fencing: How To Fight Safely In A Stage Production" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is A Modern Form Of Jujutsu, The Ancient Japanese Martial Art

The ancient Japanese martial art of jujutsu was developed to fight bare handed against armed and armored opponents during Samurai days. This technique depended on balance and leverage to use the opponent's momentum against himself and throw him off balance.

The Filipino Martial Arts: Eskrima, Kali, Arnis

The concepts and skills taught in Eskrima are traditionally simple. Flashy techniques, with little practical battlefield use receive no attention. It is the basics, well trained and understood, that get you successfully through a fight. Experts in the arts might sometimes preform intricate techniques but only those that had survived the test of practicality.

Karate Then and Now

Upon hearing the word "karate", people often think of the physical aspects of this martial art. The kicks, punches, and other seemingly impossible moves of karate masters are just the surface of what is truly a martial art steeped in philosophy. For anyone who wants to get into karate, it would be advisable to understand some of the long history and deep philosophy that have helped to make karate what it is today. By understanding the philosophy and history of the defensive martial art known as karate, people will be better disposed to take advantage of the many physical and mental benefits that karate has to offer.

Muay Thai Boxing Gloves

Muay Thai Boxing began thousands of years ago in Thailand to help the Siamese army as a way of combat against their enemies. Today, Muay Thai Boxing is a form of martial arts, although it looks grueling and devastating with the powerful kicks and fighting that appears to be going on in the ring, it is actually a very calming sport. Muay Thai Boxing is in fact used for anger management and self-control in many people.

The Sport Of Modern Fencing

What are considered the modern Olympics started in 1896, and fencing competitions have been an integral part of every Olympic Games since that time. Fencing will be just one of the great sports featured in the 2008 Summer Olympics when sports teams from around the world meet to compete in Beijing, China.

The Guard In MMA

The guard has been a position utilized in Mixed Martial Arts competitions for a very long time. Although the origins of the position are the subject of much debate, the general consensus is that what we call the guard evolved from Japanese Jujitsu and Judo. Since the position was introduced to Brazilian fighters decades ago, the guard has become a very powerful weapon.

Fencing Equipment - Get The Right Protection

A successful fencer must possess a rather large variety of different items such as, an outstanding positive attitude and a whole lot of extreme patience. For the beginner, they will need a fencing mask, jacket, glove, and a practice weapon or fencing equipment. Fencing equipment may include an epee, saber, or a foil.

Print Article

Favorite Article

Email to Friend

Republish Article

Article Directory Home

All Categories

Recreation And Sports

Martial Arts

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!

(We serve worldwide - Locations updated as at Saturday, 21 November 2009 02:51 pm , Singapore)

United States of America, USA . United Kingdom, UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) . Canada . Afghanistan . Albania . Algeria . American Samoa . Andorra . Angola . Anguilla . Antarctica . Antigua & Barbuda . Argentina . Armenia . Aruba . Australia . Austria . Azerbaijan . Bahamas . Bahrain . Bangladesh . Barbados . Belarus . Belgium . Belize . Benin . Bermuda . Bhutan . Bolivia . Bonaire . Bosnia-Herzegovina . Botswana . Brazil . British Virgin Islands . Brunei Darrusalam . Bulgaria . Burkina Faso . Burundi . Cambodia . Cameroon . Cape Verde . Cayman Islands . Central African Republic . Chad . Channel Islands . Chile . China . Christmas Island . Colombia . Comoros . Congo . Congo (Dem. Rep.) . Cook Islands . Costa Rica . Cote d'Ivoire . Croatia . Cuba . Curacao . Cyprus . Czech Republic . Denmark . Djibouti . Dominica . Dominican Republic . East Timor . Ecuador . Egypt . El Salvador . Equatorial Guinea . Eritrea . Estonia . Ethiopia . Falkland Islands and Dependencies . Faroe Islands . Fiji . Finland . France . French Guiana . French Polynesia . Gabon . Gambia . Gaza . Georgia . Germany . Ghana . Gibraltar . Greece . Greenland . Grenada . Guadeloupe . Guam . Guatemala . Guinea . Guinea-Bissau . Guyana . Haiti . Hawaiian Islands . Honduras . Hong Kong . Hungary . Iceland . India . Indonesia . Iran . Iraq . Isle Of Man . Israel . Italy . Ivory Coast . Jamaica . Japan . Johnston Atoll . Jordan . Kazakhstan . Kenya . Kiribati . Korea (North) . Korea (South) . Kuwait . Kyrgyzstan . Laos . Latvia . Lebanon . Leeward Islands . Lesotho . Liberia . Libya . Liechtenstein . Lithuania . Luxembourg . Macau . Macedonia . Madagascar . Malawi . Malaysia . Maldives . Mali . Malta . Marshall Islands . Martinique . Mauritania . Mauritius . Mexico . Micronesia (Federated States) . Midway Islands . Moldova . Monaco . Mongolia . Montserrat . Morocco . Mosquito Coast . Mozambique . Myanmar (Burma) . Namibia . Nauru . Navassa Island . Nepal . Netherlands . Netherlands Antilles . New Caledonia . New Zealand . Nicaragua . Niger . Nigeria . Niue . Norfolk Island . Northern Mariana Islands . Norway . Oman . Pakistan . Palau . Palestine . Panama . Papua New Guinea . Paracel Islands . Paraguay . Peru . Philippines . Pitcairn Islands . Poland . Portugal . Puerto Rico . Qatar . Reunion . Romania . Russia . Rwanda . Ryukyu Islands . Saint Helena . Saint Kitts and Nevis . Saint Lucia . Saint Pierre & Miquelon . Saint Vincent & The Grenadines . Samoa . San Marino . Sao Tome & Principe . Saudi Arabia . Senegal . Serbia . Seychelles . Sierra Leone . Singapore . Slovakia . Slovenia . Solomon Islands . Somalia . South Africa . Spain . Sri Lanka . Sudan . Suriname . Swaziland . Sweden . Switzerland . Syria . Taiwan . Tajikistan . Tanzania . Thailand . Togo . Tonga . Transkei . Trinidad & Tobago . Tunisia . Turkey . Turkmenistan . Turks and Caicos Islands . Tuvalu . US Virgin Islands . Uganda . Ukraine . United Arab Emirates . Upper Volta . Uruguay . Uzbekistan . Vanuatu . Vatican City (Holy See) . Venezuela . Vietnam . Wake Island . Windward Islands . Yemen . Yugoslavia . Zaire . Zambia . Zimbabwe

Copyright © 2005 - by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.com™
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks and Servicemarks are the property of the respective owners.