Stage Combat: Introduction to Fundamentals
In this new six-week evening course, you’ll explore the principles behind using violence and conflict safely within storytelling, and learn the essential techniques of both armed and unarmed combat for performance.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Wednesday evenings, 20 Jan – 24 Feb 2027
- Course times:
- 7pm–9pm
- Age:
- 18+
- Art form:
- Drama
- Fees:
- £325
- Deadline:
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Friday 15 January 2027 or when the course reaches full capacity
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Venue:
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- When:
- Evening Courses | Spring Courses (January–March)
Course info
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 26 October. Join our mailing list before Friday 23 October to receive priority booking.
Ages 18+
Course Dates & Times
Wednesday evenings on 20, 27 January, 3, 10, 17, 24 February 2027
7pm–9pm
About Stage Combat: Introduction to Fundamentals
This new six-week evening course introduces you to the art of stage combat.
You’ll explore the principles behind using violence and conflict safely within storytelling, and learn the essential techniques of both armed and unarmed combat for performance.
Who is the course for?
Anyone aged 18 and over. No previous experience necessary.
This course is ideal for:
- Beginners curious about stage combat
- Performers seeking to refresh previous training
- Anyone interested in the methods taught in major British drama schools and widely used in film, TV, and theatre.
What can I expect?
The course combines theory and practice with presentations on the logic of violence, conflict communication and the fundamental principles of skill.
The practical elements will include movement fundamentals, structured fight sequences, and weapon work (sword and dagger) alongside unarmed techniques and how they may be used in a performed fight.
Do I need anything for this course?
- Comfortable, loose clothing for movement
- Trainers or sports shoes
- A water bottle
- And most importantly, a willingness to engage and move!
Course Fee
£325
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 26 October. Join our mailing list before Friday 23 October to receive priority booking.
Eligibility
-
We welcome participants from all ages 18 and over
-
Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
About the Course Tutor
The course is taught by Jonathan Waller.
Jonathan Waller has been teaching stage combat for over 30 years, including at Guildhall. Trained by his father, John Waller, and Rodney Cottier, Jonathan’s experience spans leading drama schools such as LAMDA, ArtsEd, and international institutions including Rutgers University and Mexico’s Centro Universitario de Teatro.
He has taught many courses in Mexico, including the Centro Universitario de Teatro, University of Mexico, amongst others and has been instrumental in the founding of the Escuela Mexicana de Combate Escénico, the first stage combat organization in Mexico,
With over 100 Fight Director credits for theatre and opera, including Shakespeare’s Globe, Cheek By Jowl, The Chichester Festival Theatre, Mischief Theatre.
Film and television drama and documentaries work includes the BBC, The History Channel and combat for puppeteers for Netflix series The Dark Crystal and recently the film of Hamnet. Commercials include Strongbow utilising his skills as a Master Archer.
He is also a researcher in conflict communication, in its cultural context, across different societies and time periods. This has involved fighting and riding in different armours and historical clothing. He has researched and taught the historical martial arts of Europe, in the UK, the US and across Europe and had articles and research published.
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