Sunday, January 16, 2011

Get To Know Your Fighters/Fearless Leader - Todd Campbell

Yes. We have come to the end. You now know all your fighters. I hope that this experience was an educational one, that you feel ready to face the world armed with the knowledge of what fight movies rock and what drinks are preferable. And today, to round things off, we finish with our fearless leader, Mr. Todd Campbell. DUEL OF AGES was his creation, and the guy's like in tons of the scenes as well and maybe fight directed just a couple too.

So here's our final Get To Know Your Fighters . . . relish it my friends . . . relish it . . .


Todd Campbell
Creator/Producer/Fight Director DUEL OF AGES
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Queles (Le Duel Des Mignons), Stewart (The Last Duel of Rob Roy), Dooley (The Pistoleers)




How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
Since 1992, so almost twenty years.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
The theatre school I went to in NYC had a very extensive stage combat program and I loved playing with swords.... most likely a result of playing too much D&D as a kid ...and as an adult.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
I have choreographed and performed many fights that I am proud of. But putting Maupin together the first time was the most memorable. I had a vision of the piece but had never tried anything like it before. The first time we tried it with music, fight and dance all together I held my breath hoping it would work. It was (and still is) my best work.

Favourite weapon (and why):
Rapier and companion weapon (dagger, cloak, second rapier). The Rapier has been my first love since day one. There are so many rapier manuals from the period with so many different techniques and styles of rapier play, that I have an endless variety of shapes and looks to choose from when I choreograph a fight.

Favourite Fight film/play:
The Duelists (of course), Rob Roy, the Three and Four Musketeers (from the 70s)... really anything choreographed by William Hobbs. Oh and Stardust. There is an awe inspiring fight at the end of the movie by (and I believe doubled by) Richard Ryan.

Favourite famous fighter:
Anthony DeLongis. Amazing with a sword... and a whip!

Role you wish you could have played:
Hamlet. I understudied the part when I was in my early 20's. At the time I was terrified I might have to go on, now however I feel like I could do justice to the role.
And Edmund in Long Days Journey into Night... I love O'Neill.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Blanche de Chamblie with a slice of orange


Anything else you'd like to plug:
I will be fight directing at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival later this year. I will be working on Camelot, Twelfth Night, Merry Wives of Windsor and The Homecoming.




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