True Edge Productions

Closing Night . . .

2011-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Greeted with not exactly the same fanfare as Opening Night, but still with enthusiasm, we come to the end my friends. What a fantastic run it has been: great performances, wonderful audiences and sold out shows, an utterly ridiculous Midnight Massacre and delightful reviews. Plus a totally awesome feature on BRAVO News. I think it is safe to call this run of DUEL OF AGES with the NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL a success.

And here we are. Closing night. A sense of accomplishment, and a feeling of sadness. I suppose it's good in a way to feel sad to say goodbye. It means that we did something right, something that will be missed.

My first post was about the madness of organising schedules of 25 actors plus directors and fight directors, and I suppose my last ought to comment how it's amazing that you can have such a large group of individuals come together to form an ensemble that works together seamlessly, and can, with their combined efforts, create magic.

No one said it would be easy. And darn it all, it wasn't.

But that doesn't make it any less fun.

And rewarding.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported such a unique show. We truly do appreciate you guys coming out and spending time with us. Here's hoping we shall meet again soon!

And now . . . some pics . . .

Backstage antics . . .

In the girls' change room . . .

In the greenroom . . .

In the wings . . .

Get To Know Your Fighters/Fearless Leader - Todd Campbell

2011-01-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

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.

DUEL OF AGES on BRAVO

2011-01-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Check us out featured on BRAVO News ! (we're part two of the clip)

MIDNIGHT MASSACRE tonight!!

2011-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight's the night!
Join us for Duel of Ages: MIDNIGHT MASSACRE on January 14, an extra raucous midnight showing of the smash Fringe hit!

All proceeds go to benefit the Toronto Fringe's artist outreach programs.

The $25 ticket includes a pre-show party at 11pm in the heated McAuslan Beer Tent, free munchies (we'll be serving up free Smoke's Poutine), door prizes, a $10 charitable tax receipt, and the midnight performance of Duel of Ages, a play with nine combat scenes depicting various ages in the history of dueling.

"An exciting mix of brains and brawn" NNNN - Jordan Bimm, NOW Magazine

25 Fighters + 9 Duels + 16 Bloody Deaths (and countless wounded) = 1 Killer Show.

Click Here For Midnight Massacre

More reviews for DUEL OF AGES!

2011-01-14T10:24:00.001-08:00

The Way I See It calls DUEL OF AGES "sharp and winning"!

Excerpt:

"Fight choreographers and those who are masters of stage combat are often called upon for particular scenes in the theatre, especially historical works or ones dealing with explicit violence, but these are still usually isolated bits of a larger picture. It is really wonderful to have the opportunity to see a huge cast filled with exorbitantly talented individuals having the chance to make these skills the very heart of the art of the piece."

Full review here.

Paula Citron with Classical 96.3FM said some lovely things about the show as well here, stating that "the history lesson [in dueling] has both interest and humour".

AND the Brown Okinawa Assault Incident blog noted that the show is "full of comic relief, tension and crisp, well choreographed fights".

AND Panic Manual adds that the members of the cast "are the best at what they do, they love it, and it shows."

AND Mooney on Theatre says that "this is stage combat at its best."

Get To Know Your Fighters - Siobhan Richardson

2011-01-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

Siobhan Richardson
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: The Poor (Le Duel Des Mignons), Innkeeper (The Last Duel of Rob Roy), The One (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
10 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?:
Maître D'Armes J.P. Fournier came to my college and taught a week of stage combat. I was hooked from the first moment.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had:
In 30˚C with no breeze, performing 15 fights in an hour and fifteen minutes (part of the Humber River Shakespeare Company's Sonnet Show). That's a 2-minute fight, every 5 minutes. I really saw how valuable foundations are: when you're sweaty and exhausted, the strength of your core principles and technique shine through.

Favourite weapon (and why):
I honestly love them all, but Longsword comes out ahead. It feels right. I can really dance with that weapon, using my whole body, more than any other. It's so elegant, fluid, subtle and has extraordinary variety in its use.

Favourite Fight film/play:
I honestly don't think it's happened yet, but the blade work and shooting in Prince Caspian is really good. And really like Jovanni Sy's play, The Five Vengeances. Secret: I'm part of a play workshop right now that might turn out to be my favourite script...

Favourite famous fighter:
SUCH A HARD QUESTION! There's a lot of good people, and I like different people for different reasons. I think Michelle Yeoh is someone to aspire to, as an actor and a fighter. I must also mention Brandon Lee, because I think we lost something wonderful when he died.

Role you wish you could have played:
When they make a live-action Moribito, it had better be me! But for one that's already happened, "Xena". Seriously, a new fight every week (and musical episodes)? That's pretty cool.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Wind and Sail Ale from Barley Days Brewery of Prince Edward County. A real treat, though, would be Black Amber Ale from Big Rock in Alberta.

Anything else you'd like to plug:.
I've received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council's Chalmers Fellowship Award which is allowing me to further study acting and stage combat in Sweden, England, and Washington D.C. Keep an eye on my blog to see where I am and what I'm doing. www.Fellowship.SiobhanRichardson.com

Get To Know Your Fighters - Dean Rideout

2011-01-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

DUEL in The Globe and Mail!

2011-01-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

Very nice mention for DUEL OF AGES in The Globe in Mail:

"[The show] give[s] a thrilling crash course in different forms of personal combat including sword-fighting, pistols at dawn and samurai battles . . . Duel of Ages was pure, dorky fun."

For the full review along with reviews of several of the other awesome shows at the festival, click here.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Stuart Constable

2011-01-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Stuart Constable
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: King François I (Le Coup), King Henri III (Le Duel Des Mignons), Dancer (La Maupin), Bat Masterson (The Pen and the Gun), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
10 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I received my black belt in Tae Kwon Do at 17, but when I went off to college I couldn't find the time or money to take martial arts anymore. Stage combat was the perfect way for my to merge the two things I love: martial arts and theatre.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
I was one of the Jets during a production of West Side Story and during the big knife fight Riff was to be disarmed and I was the lucky person who got to catch the blade (so it wouldn't shatter on the stage). Well, one day Riff got a little too excited and happened to, instead of lobbing it, launch it directly at my face. To the amazement of the other jets on stage I managed to catch the blade "buffy style", which would be, by the handle with the blade pointed at my face. Let's just say, I'll never forget that...I might have pooped a little

Favourite weapon (and why):
My hands and feet, because I'm always armed

Favourite Fight film/play:
My favorite action film is also my favorite Xmas movie. That's right boys and girls: Diehard!

Favourite famous fighter:
Bruce Lee. Also my favorite quote, "be like water"

Role you wish you could have played:
John McClane (Bruce Willis' character in Diehard)

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Anything alcoholic.

Get To Know Your Fighters - M. John Kennedy

2011-01-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

M. John Kennedy
Writer "The Last Duel of Rob Roy"
Role in DUEL OF AGES: Matthews (The Pistoleers)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
My Dad starting training me as a boxer when I was little kid and I started doing Karate when I started school. Since then I have studied Aikido, Jodo and a little Tai Kwon Do.

I started doing stage combat in earnest just before high school. I was going to an acting summer camp in Peterborough called InterAct (this was before debit machines). We had a week of play-acting which, for me, culminated in a "great battle" between myself and a friend. I cannot recall if it was choreographed but I remember it feeling safe (I have no idea if it looked good). So, I guess I have been doing it for about 20 years. However, I didn't start taking it seriously until university. Since then, I have been more actively pursuing training instead of just goofing around.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I was always into wrestling and play fighting and I always thought weapons were cool. I grew up in the country where it was natural to know how to safely handle a rifle or a sharp blade. At my cottage, we had this antique pneumatic player piano and on top of it (next to the shark jaw) was an old cavalry sabre. I used to love playing with that old sword pretending I was taking on invaders. As an adult and an artist I have new reasons for passion: the control I have to learn of my body and any extension of it (in the form of a weapon) is a glorious challenge. I find the creation of choreography a beautiful expression. Fighting a choreographed fight well is like learning to dance: once you know all the steps, and you have a good partner, it is a pure joy.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
The best experiences for me are just like rehearsing any other scene. I can't really play until I know the text so well that the words are second nature; then I can just be present, breath, listen and fight. When I know the choreography so well that I am not thinking but in conversation in action, it is the same kind of transcendent experience; being both present and transformed.

Favourite weapon (and why):
I am a big fan of wooden weapons. I adore the Jo (Japanese fighting stick). It was designed and used as defense against the Shogunate in Japan. People who were not able to own swords defended themselves with these thick sticks. Any system that uses a piece of wood against a Katana (the most beautiful of blades) is bad ass. I like a weapon that is fast, can be used as a non-lethal deterrent and can be functional (ie damaging) with either end.

Favourite Fight film/play:
I love me some sweet Star Wars Lightsaber action. The fight at the end of The Phantom Menace is fun and flashy, but my favourite fight is still the original, Obi Wan versus Darth Vader.

The legendary sword fight in The Princess Bride was also wonderful to grow up watching. The classics never go out of style.

Favourite famous fighter:
I enjoy all of Tony Jaa's films but my favorite famous fighter is probably Sonny Chiba [especially in The Street Fighter (1974)].

Role you wish you could have played:
Obi Wan Kenobi. I also want to be a superhero (again).

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Anything Gluten & Dairy Free.

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Training. If you want to fight, get some training. It is fun, physical, intellectual, cool, nerdy and the people you meet are the best in the world.

Get To Know Your Fighters . . . er Directors . . . - Rosanna Saracino

2011-01-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . and in this case directors . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Rosanna Saracino
Director "Two Swords"
Costume Design for DUEL OF AGES

How long have you been working with fighters?
As a director, I have often worked with Fight Directors, including Todd Campbell, Scott Moyle, and Simon Fon, in both my theatre and film projects. Simon's work can be seen in my short film "The Ring" (www.redhanded.ca).

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

I am Italian, combat came with the territory - as did opera, homemade pasta, and an obsession with using red apples in every theatre/film piece I have ever directed. Two Swords marks my debut in apple-less directing.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

I trained with Simon Fon in stage combat when I was attending my Masters in Directing at York University. He was teaching the class Aikido rolls, and there was no way I thought flinging my head toward the ground was a good idea. Simon handed me a dagger, having noticed my interest in the weaponry and said, "now, do the roll". Given the weapon, I performed one of the finest Aikido rolls ever - to Simon's utter delight, or perhaps dismay...A love for combat was born!

Favourite weapon (and why):

Well, perhaps daggers as a result of the previous story - but I do love a good broadsword!

Favourite Fight film/play:

Duel of Ages!!!

Favourite famous fighter:

I gotta support my boys so: Simon Fon, Mike Dufays, Olaf Sham, Scott Leaver. Special mention to Todd Campbell and Scott Moyle, because I love their work.

Role you wish you could have played:

Am not an actor by nature, but have had a secret penchant to play Macbeth for decades. Not "Lady" Macbeth, Macbeth proper.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

hot water, honey, touch of lemon

Other mentionables:

check out my website: www.redhanded.ca, and stay tuned for my upcoming production of The Penelopiad by Atwood.

And the reviews are just pouring in . . . 4 N's from NOW Magazine!

2011-01-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

After giving DUEL OF AGES 4 N's in 2007 and letting everyone know that it "kicks major ass in the thrills department", I'm happy to report that NOW Magazine is still very much on the DUEL bandwagon. We got those 4 N's for a second time in a row and they add: "this show [is] an exciting mix of brains and brawn". So yeah. Just saying.... We rock:

DUEL OF AGES review, NOW Magazine

FOUR STARS - "True Edge Productions throws down the gauntlet… and wins!"

2011-01-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from TheatroMania.ca's 4 star review of DUEL OF AGES:

"From European gentlemen, to Samurai warriors, gunslingers in the Wild West, actors on the Silver Screen and more, this production debunks some of the myths about dueling and demonstrates the difference between swordsmanship and swashbuckling. With impeccable skill and timing, the actors perform awe-inspiring fight scenes that kept us on the edge of our seats."

With a particular shoutout to Casey Hudecki as La Maupin:

"La Maupin is particularly memorable. . . All eyes were on her as she performed the role of Julie d’Aubigny, a 17th century swordswoman and opera singer with a wild reputation for her romantic dalliances with both men and women. . . The combination of stage combat, dance choreography and modern, edgy music is electrifying."

Click here to read the full review.

Rehearsal Pics - THE PISTOLEERS

2011-01-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

THE PISTOLEERS
(Based on a true story)

Written by Mike McPhaden
Directed by Dean Gabourie

Dooley . . . . . . . . . . . .Todd Campbell
Matthews . . . . . . . . . .M. John Kennedy
Healey . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Richardson
Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew MacMaster

This scene depicts the often farcical nature of 19th century pistol duelling through one of the last pistol duels in Canada which took place in Newfoundland in 1873.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Chris Sironi

2011-01-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

Chris Sironi
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Livarot (Le Duel Des Mignons), Blackie (The Pen and the Gun), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh... the fake kind of fighting?
About 5 years now

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I have a background in Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do, and I had always been interested in being physical. In my first year of theatre school I saw some unarmed choreography that Dan Levinson did, and thought, “I WILL learn how to do this!” The rest is history.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
Once, I remember performing as Tybalt in Tempest Theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet. I was opposite Todd Campbell's (our illustrious leader) Mercutio, and we were performing the fight scene at the culmination of the first act. Somewhere in the fight, I completely blanked - Todd knew it - and there was a pause that *had* to end, so we both performed a lunge... at each other's heads... I don't know whether it was our fear, or the training that kicked in, but we both did some crazy evasion and dodged each others thrusts. It ended up looking badass :) I will never do that again...

Favourite Weapon (and why):
No weapon at all. Hand to hand combat is what gets me. Deliver the message up close and personal. Audience members really connect with it, because everyone has had a physical situation at one point in their life, and can relate

Favourite Fight Film/Play:
I have to agree with Sabrina and say The Matrix as well. Matrix Reloaded specifically, when Neo’s gotten all fearless and awesome

Favourite Famous Fighter:
Jean Claude Van Damme. He may have been surpassed in movie stardom by the Jackie Chan’s and Jet Li’s, but he was who initially got me excited about martial arts on screen. Those massive 360 split kicks…man. It’s silly, but the spectacle gets me

Role you wish you could have played:
Neo from the Matrix

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing you're awesome in Duel of Ages:
Tequila. Pre-Hangover juice.

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Come and see the show folks. You won't have seen anything like it before.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Rachelle Ganesh

2011-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Get To Know Your Fighters - Olaf Sham

2011-01-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

OPENING NIGHT'S TONIGHT!

2011-01-06T08:43:00.001-08:00

Doors are closed.

Audience is seated.

House to half.

House out.

Cue sound.

Cue projection.

And . . .

Cue awesome.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Scott Moyle

2011-01-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Scott Moyle
Producer of DUEL OF AGES
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Maugiron (Le Duel des Mignons), Young MacGregor (The Last Duel of Rob Roy), Martin W. Horne (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
Ten years.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
A community theatre production of Twelfth Night where I was cast as Sebastian, and very shortly thereafter working at the Ontario Renaissance Festival- where I first met many of the people I still work with today.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
I got to spend a week at a pirate-themed fight workshop in Williamsburg, Virginia, training with David Doersch and Ian Rose. We fought with cutlass and axe and improvised weapons, we swung on ropes, we dabbled in high falls and flintlock pistols, and so on. It was a great experience with great people, I picked up lots of crazy skills, and I said 'yar' a lot.

Favourite weapon (and why):
I love the cutlass. Curved blades make for pretty choreography, and pirates are the best thing ever.

Favourite Fight film/play:
I really love the fights in Shakespeare- he really understood how to use violence to advance a story or a character arc. The duel in Two Noble Kinsmen is heartbreaking, in particular. And Twelfth Night has three opportunities for three very different fights that tell a brilliant story if done right. And Titus Andronicus is incredible. I'm a gigantic nerd for this stuff.

Favourite famous fighter:
I'm really liking Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki on "Supernatural", who every now and then get the chance to beat the crap out of each other. And it's well-performed, and well-shot, and they do it almost all themselves.

Role you wish you could have played:
He doesn't fight, but I'm very interested in Angelo in 'Measure For Measure'. Also, Verezzi in 'Zastrozzi'.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Smithwick's, please!

Anything else you'd like to plug:
I'm the artistic director of Urban Bard Productions- we do classical theatre in unusual places, and we've had the pleasure of working with many of the actors in Duel Of Ages. Check us out at www.urbanbard.ca!

DUEL OF AGES TRAILER - PART DEUX!

2011-01-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

We have a second trailer people! It's totally kick ass-tic! Check it out:

Get To Know Your Fighters - Nate Bitton

2011-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Nate Bitton
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Riberac (Le Duel Des Mignons), Basil Rathbone (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
3 1/2 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
While doing my undergrad in theatre and drama studies at U of T Mississauga, a couple of guys from the class two years above me told me that they were doing their stage combat training at RapierWit with Dan and that he was looking for new students. Being as I grew up running around my house with a butter-knife and pie plate pretending to be Link from the Legend of Zelda, I figured that maybe stage combat was the right place for me. As it turned out (insert nintendo discover noise here) I loved it!!

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
During a practice run of a case of rapier fight for my advanced test, my partner and great friend Andy Ingram and I were really pushing each other to nail the speed and movements. We both managed to fall perfectly into sync to the point where speed got so fast we were running on pure instinct. We rocked the choreo then immediately dropped our weapons (softly of course) and jumped around the room celebrating. It was one of those moments that was so exciting for both of us because we were really holding on for dear life and of course trying to slightly best the other!

Favourite weapon (and why):
Case of Rapier - I love the finesse involved in the point control and the speed and pictures that you can create with such long beautiful weapons or Broadsword and Shield - there is something so brawler and close combat about it. The two together really have their own movement and entirely different feeling from a lot of other weapons. Plus it's fun to actually get to smack something with a sword.

Favourite Fight film/play:
Sherlock Holmes, the new one. First of all Robert Downey Jr. for the win! Secondly, it's own way I think the slowed down shots and explanations of exactly what he is about to do is really reminiscent of what we do in stage combat. The good fights are the ones that find weaknesses and openings and take advantage of them like Holmes does in those moments.

Favourite famous fighter:
Ray Park. That guy is ridiculous!!

Role you wish you could have played:
Jack Sparrow. What can I say sometimes drinking rum with too much eyeliner just feels right.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
A pint of Alexander Keith's India Pale will never let you down

Get To Know Your Fighters - Adrienne Kress

2011-01-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Adrienne Kress
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Lady (La Maupin), Ellie Powers (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
The amazing Casey Hudecki introduced me to Stage Combat back when we met in Drama School. So that would make it just over ten years on and off. Wow. Dude. Wow.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
It's fun. And really how often do you get to play with weapons in real life? Okay, I guess more often for some than others. Let's just say that in my particular life, it is a most rare occurrence indeed.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
Well there was this production of MACBETH I was in where everyone at the end of the play was either part of Malcolm's army, or Macbeth's. I was one of Macbeth's stooges waiting backstage to come charging on, watching from the wings as Malcolm's army came down through the audience and leaped onto the stage. I couldn't see the edge of the stage from my vantage point, but suddenly there was a massive eruption of laughter from the audience. "What, what's going on??" My cast mate who was laughing hysterically too whispered, "Todd lost his kilt." "WHAT??"

Yes. The actor playing Macduff (and our beloved producer/creator of DUEL OF AGES) had indeed lost his kilt upon jumping onto the stage. Fortunately he wasn't wearing it the, shall we say, historically accurate way, so he didn't moon the audience or anything. Still, there he was, standing on stage in his underwear, as Malcolm gives his final pep talk and we, from backstage, come running on to charge their army and battle it out (I, with my particularly formidable weapon of a mace made of Nerf). Of course we Macbeth stooges backstage were so determined to keep the show going no matter what that our charge was possibly slightly overly-enthusiastic with us screaming in an almost manic fashion. But we fought through it, literally, and when Macduff returned to stage fully clothed, he managed to win over the audience so completely that his was the largest applause of the night.

Oh. Did I mention that the audience we were performing in front of were teenagers? Yeah. Adds an extra something special doesn't it?

Needless to say Todd was nicknamed "MacBUFF" for the rest of the run of the show.

Favourite weapon (and why):
The power of my mind. And small sword. It's elegant and deadly. Just like me. Uh . . . yeah . . .

Favourite Fight film/play:
There are a lot of stunning shows out there that highlight fighting, but I have to choose THE PRINCESS BRIDE as my personal favourite. The first fight between the Man in Black and Inigo Montoya is just plain wonderfully choreographed and executed, but it's the last fight between Inigo and the Six Fingered Man that I adore the most. There isn't even that much fighting in it. It's more a brilliant moment of a character and story arc coming to fruition in such a completely satisfying manner. That last sequence with Inigo getting stabbed twice, managing to overcome it, intimidating the Six Fingered Man with "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" over and over and over again, the comedy of "STOP SAYING THAT", the music buttoning his every slash, and the final wonderful mirrored payback . . . it's all so perfect.

And then, of course, comes the final dialogue exchange:

Inigo Montoya: Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father: prepare to die. Now, offer me money.
[slices Count Rugen's cheek]
Count Rugen: Yes.
Inigo Montoya: Power too. Promise me that.
[slices Count Rugen's other cheek]
Count Rugen: All that I have and more. Please...
Inigo Montoya: Offer me everything I ask for.
Count Rugen: Anything you want.
Inigo Montoya: I want my father back, you son of bitch.
[stabs and kills Count Rugan]

Here's a lovely little featurette about the swordfighting in that film with interviews from the cast etc:

Favourite famous fighter:
Michelle Yeoh. I just love her. Her fighting is amazing, but she's also a stunning actress (and it's always fun to see her in a non-fighting movie, ie: SUNSHINE). What I love about the way she fights is that I believe she is capable of doing everything she does. So many films these days have female fighters. In fact, these days, the token "woman who kicks ass and can never be defeated" has become even more common than the "damsel in distress". So you get a bunch a tiny Hollywood actresses performing moves against massive beefy guys that you just know would never fell them in real life. Now Yeoh isn't exactly big herself, but she has this inner strength that comes pouring out of her, and mad mad fight skills, that makes her truly believable as a deadly weapon. She fights with elegance and is unrelenting. Love her.

Role you wish you could have played:
It might be obvious from the way I waxed poetic about it above, but man, Inigo Montoya would have been sweet. I'd also love to play Cyrano someday. Yes. I realise how that's never going to happen. Le sigh.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Scotch. Others before me have suggested Oban. I am perfectly amenable to that suggestion.

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Well I wouldn't be any kind of author (uh, yeah, I'm also an author) if I didn't plug my two children's novels (available in bookstores and online): ALEX AND THE IRONIC GENTLEMAN, TIMOTHY AND THE DRAGON'S GATE (Scholastic). And my website www.adriennekress.com.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Kevin Robinson

2011-01-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Kevin Robinson
Fight Direction: Le Coup, Le Duel Des Mignons
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Herald (Le Coup), Gentleman (La Maupin), David Tutt (The Pen and the Gun), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
Since 1998...so uh, math says 12 years.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I had an unarmed class in theatre school taught by Daniel Levinson. I fell in love with stage combat there and went for my Basic Certification with FDC that year. I love the art of physically telling the story through combat. It's your character at their rawest and most truthful point. Nothing shows the character of a person like a life and death situation, and you don't get any more life and death than in the middle of a fight.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
Doing Duel of Ages in 2007 and part way through La Maupin the music cut out. The entire piece is timed to the music, so losing the tunes was quite harrowing. We kept going though in the silence and the fighters and dancers kept the timing and finished the scene. The audience went nuts, they knew there was a problem and got to see on the fly problem solving live. That's why live theatre is still around. It's awesome to watch people doing something amazing in front of your eyes. It's even more amazing being a part of it!

Favourite weapon (and why):
Favorite weapon is whatever is in my hand at the time. Each weapon solves a different kind of problem and they all have their advantages and cool factor.

Favourite Fight film/play:
How do you choose just one? I love Macbeth, Zastrozzi, Dangerous Liasons, Rob Roy, Princess Bride, Kill Zone. I love aspects of too many films to pick any single favorite.

Favourite famous fighter:
Donnie Yen. He's so fast and precise in his actions and he's a good actor as well.

Role you wish you could have played:
I would have loved to play Boromir in the Lord of the Rings movies. I still have my goal to play Macbeth some day.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Scotch. Neat. Caol Ila is my favorite. Rum and coke is nice too. Or a Dark and Stormy.

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Check out our films on with Riot A.C.T. on youtube. Subscribe to the riotactaction channel. If you like what you see on stage and want to learn to do it yourself, come take some classes at Rapier Wit. Also check out The Mill at the Tankhouse theatre; creepy ghost girls, good story, and we decapitate someone onstage with a giant saw. Also follow me on twitter @kevinfightguy for more info!

Rehearsal Pics - LE DUEL DES MIGNONS

2011-01-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

LE DUEL DES MIGNONS

Written and Directed by Michael Rubenfeld
Fight Direction by Todd Campbell
With additional choreography by Matt Richardson and Kevin Robinson

D’Entragues . . . . . . Andrew MacMaster
Queles . . . . . . . . . . .Todd Campbell
Riberac . . . . . . . . . .Nathan Bitton
Maugiron . . . . . . . . Scott Moyle
Schomberg . . . . . . . Matt Richardson
Livarot . . . . . . . . . . Chris Sironi
King Henri III . . . . .Stuart Constable
The POOR . . . . . . . Siobhan Richardson, M. John Kennedy,Tammy Everett
King’s Guards . . . . .Scott Leaver, Dean Rideout

An almost verbatim account of the duel between six of the King’s favourites, his Mignons, in 16th century France.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Matt Richardson

2011-01-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

For your edification we present to you "Get To Know Your Fighters" where you . . . get to know the fighters . . . from DUEL OF AGES. Because, as we all know, knowledge is power. As is the ability to kick ass.

Matt Richardson
Fight Choreographer for: Le Duel Des Mignons, The Last Duel of Rob Roy
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Schomberg (Le Duel Des Mignons), MacGregor (The Last Duel Of Rob Roy), Healey (The Pistoleers), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting: Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

20 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?:

Reading a lot of Tolkien, Michael Moorcock and Robert E. Howard as a teen ... and being a D & D player since I was ten.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had:

My fight partner from the first professional fight I choreographed forgot his choreography, and threw a random cut towards my head. I parried, grabbed his arm, pulled him in close and told him what the move was supposed to be. We started again and it went fine. No one on stage or in the audience noticed any difference!

Favourite weapon (and why):

Longbow. Oh wait ... melee weapon ... The Laird of all Weapons, Scottish Backsword. I feel connected to it through my heritage. However, Spanish sidesword, tomahawk and bowie knife, and longsword are close contenders. Each of these weapons represents a unique, interesting and dramatic style of fighting that differs from the standard tropes of stage combat. And I've also had the pleasure of studying each of these style as a martial art.

Favourite Fight film/play:

Conan the Barbarian (the first one, NOT the sequel!!!)

Favourite famous fighter:

Charles Bronson. (Check out Hard Times and you'll see why)

Role you wish you could have played:

Solomon Kane

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

Alba, the Scottish Pine Ale. Available in the "Historic Ales of Scotland" 4-pack at the LCBO.

Anything else you'd like to plug:

My awesome wife, Siobhan Richardson [web admin's note: she's another awesome fighter in DUEL OF AGES you will get to know soon].

Get To Know Your Fighters - Michael Dufays

2010-12-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

Michael Dufays
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Châtaigneraye (Le Coup), Kyokutei (Two Swords), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
I started Tae Kwon Do at age 7 and got my black belt at age 11, so it really affected the way I move. When i went to acting school in New York the physicality of the Stage combat class there really appealed to me, and engaged me in such a way that I stuck with it until i became an instructor in 2003. So, I guess about 18 years now?...Crap, dated myself...

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
At my school there was stage combat 2 days a week for 2 hours a pop. Consistent and well organized enough that I really felt the learning building on its self, seeping into me. It gave me confidence that I was acquiring a "usable" skill that I was good at so I just kept at it; not to mention we had three fantastic teachers who had a very entertaining and example based way of teaching. They may have made the difference in my book.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
Well I'll tell you a little story: I was performing in a production of R and J, and I had a fight with the guy playing Tybalt. There was a knife kill that was designed very safely , but at one run we were whipping along and the knife attack came and I hit the guy about 5 millimeters above his left eye but just inside the crest of his ocular cavity with the point of a rebated an aluminum dagger... He fainted. When he came, to we went to be with people in separate rooms and talk about the experience and get checked out. I was shaking and in tears fearing that the other actor would never trust me again, I had ruined the show and I was unworthy as a stage fighter etc, etc. And after getting to the root of how scary the event had been I kinda wandered out into the hall for a breather where the other actor had sort of meandered on his own. We sheepishly came together, and I said, "I can't tell you how sorry I feel. That just scared the shit out of me, " and he said, "me too". Then we looked at each other and we kinda just cleared the air in that moment. After that we redoubled our efforts to examine the moves, get the safety technique down, and slowly built the speed and the trust again to the point where we were exhilarated every time we came off the stage. That was not only a memorable fight for me (which i think we only twice performed Perfectly, the rest of the time we had to think on our feet about how to get through the obstacles together - four months of shows BTW) but an important theatre experience - and personal experience: how sharing an open honest heart about an event can let people rise above the worst challenges and repair oneself and a relationship and excel - and be free of it.

Favourite weapon (and why):
Oh, balls... Well, I really enjoy choreographing the needle point articulations of small sword, however I wish I were a knife fighting expert! ...But I seem to always get asked to play with the bashy bashy weapons that need two hands...Excelsior!

Favourite Fight film/play:
There's just too many out there but I truly go back again and again to the movie , "the duelists" for the sense of reality and visceral reaction it evokes, exquisite. In other genres, The big brawl, The Matrix, OngBak, The protector, Killzone, Inception, and others - these movies brought great invention and innovation to the fight performance realm.

Favourite famous fighter:
I would have to say at this point, Donnie Yen as a technician and a fight designer - though I gotta give props to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, for his tireless rollercoaster fight on Inception.

Role you wish you could have played:
uh...boooooooooooooooooooooop...sorry, get back to me...

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Is Spirulina considered a drink? ...And then a 1,000,000 push ups, I'm so pumped for this show!!

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Stay tuned for upcoming work from Riot ACT, Toronto's premier Action Creation Team!! If you like what you see, share, re-tweet or just stand up and shout! Yeah!!!!

Get To Know Your Fighters - Sabrina Kolbegger

2010-12-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sabrina Kolbeggar
Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Dancer (La Maupin), Make-up Girl (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
About 4 months.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I took a class in my first year of theatre school and it was fun so I thought 'Why not?' I also think it's a very useful skill for any actor to have.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
The first time I did a shoulder roll right. It seem like something so simple but it's really hard!

Favourite weapon (and why):
Quarterstaff because it's such a simple, yet versatile weapon.

Favourite Fight film/play:
The Matrix.

Favourite famous fighter:
Bruce Lee. Fists of Fury = awesome!

Role you wish you could have played:
In this show? I definitely wish I could do Siobhan's part in The One. I can dream...

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Whiskey sour, please and thank you!

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Nope, just Duel of Ages. Come and see it!

Get To Know Your Fighters - Christopher Mott

2010-12-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

Christopher Mott

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Caizon (Le Coup), Wild Bill Hickok (The Pen and the Gun), Errol Flynn (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
Since 1996, so 14 years.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

Got into fighting at the old Ontario Renaissance Festival, which was my first paid acting job, straight out of High School. Todd Campbell taught me my first parries, back in his long hair days.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

So many! Some of my favourites have to be the shenanigans I got up to with Tom Plott, a friend and Fight Director from Baltimore. Flaming Quarterstaffs, Breakaway tables...

Favourite weapon (and why):

Favourite Weapon: the human body. I finally took up an actual martial art (Tai Chi Mantis style Kung Fu, specifically) and the more I learn about various unarmed styles, the more fascinated I become. And the more I learn how little I actually know...

Favourite Fight film/play:

The Duellists- Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel, Directed by Ridley Scott and Fight Direction by William Hobbs. Beautiful examples of the various weapons and styles of Napoleonic era duelling.

Favourite famous fighter:
Jackie Chan- entertainment at it's best. Lots of people can do comedy or action. Few can do both.

Role you wish you could have played:

The title role in Zastrozzi. And will one day, hopefully!

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

Scotch (neat) or any Belgian beer. And thanks!

Rehearsal Pics - THE PEN AND THE GUN

2010-12-25T12:02:00.000-08:00

The Pen and the Gun

Written and directed by Daniel Levinson

Bat Masterson . . . . . . . .Stuart Constable

Wild Bill Hickok . . . . . Christopher Mott

David Tutt . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Robinson

Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Leaver

Blackie . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Sironi

Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan Bitton

Bat Masterson and Wild Bill Hickok: two men on parallel paths of violence. Each is a mirror of what the other could have become. One lived by the pen and one died by the gun.

Sign up for the Basic Stage Combat Workshop!

2010-12-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

So you've read about some of our fighters (and there are many more to come, fear you not), seen the awesome trailer for the show and what these fighters can do. Maybe, just maybe, you're now looking to do a little stage combat yourself?

Well fear not, my friends! Your salvation is at hand:

It's time to sign up for Rapier Wit's Basic Stage Combat Workshop! (echo echo echo)

Yes, these glorious fighters weren't born that way, it took years of training and dedication. So why not take the first step, and chose a career enhancing, body building, soul enriching workshop at Rapier Wit, Canada’s oldest stage combat school? Our classes will help you become the dynamic actor you have always wanted to be. Join a Rapier Wit class and start improving your physical acting technique immediately in a safe, supportive and fun environment!

Like with any skill you work your way through Basic, Intermediate and Advanced classes - learning to use a wide variety of weapons and fight techniques from around the world.

In Basic you are introduced to Single Sword, Quarterstaff, and of course the totally kick ass Un-armed. You also learn how to look totally awesome doing it, and totally punched in the face. Oh yes, there's a special technique for looking totally punched in the face. After all, stage combat isn't just about learning how to kick ass, it's also learning how to look like your ass has been kicked :) .

And now here is your opportunity to try for your certification as a Basic Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada.

*Fight Directors Canada’s Certification Classes

Basic includes Single Sword, Quarter Staff and Unarmed

Tuesday and Thursday nights 6-10pm
January 18 – March 31
Exam on Sunday April 3

· $1067.85 (includes HST) for members of FDC, Equity, Actra, and Rapier Wit
· $1695 for non members

Certification includes exam training days, all paperwork, and adjudication fees.

A $100 non-refundable deposit is needed to hold a space.

Payments may be made in instalments $100 per week.

All fees must be paid final class

*Dates and prices subject to change.
Class minimum is six and a maximum of ten students

Please e-mail or call for more information about FDC certification or course material.

For more information, or to book classes, please call Daniel Levinson at (416) 534-1947, or e-mail Daniel@rapierwit.com.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Scott Leaver

2010-12-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Scott Leaver

Writer - TWO SWORDS

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Dancer (La Maupin), Red (The Pen and the Gun), Assistant (Two Swords), Stage Hand (Egos and Idols)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

Since high school.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

I was directing a show for the London Fringe Festival in 2000. It was a Commedia dell’ Arte show that required extensive slapstick combat and I knew it needed to look fantastic. I had to bring in some experts.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

It was the same Commedia show. The moment was during one of the performances. A woman in the audience stood up and cried out as one of the actors was hit by a shovel. This was quickly followed by the whole audience roaring after realizing it was intentional. That was the moment I knew we had done our job correctly.

Favourite weapon (and why):
The pen.

Favourite Fight film/play:
Favourite good fight: Ridley Scott’s The Duelists. The final sabre fight where both men have been fighting so hard and long that they can barely breath as they continue to try to kill each other

Favourite bad fight: The infamous Star Trek episode where William Shatner is using his Kirk-Fu on some poor actor in a rubber lizard-man costume.

Favourite famous fighter:

Bruce Lee

Role you wish you could have played:

Since I was a kid, I have wished to be a guest on the original Muppet Show. Does that count?

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

Beer.

Anything else you'd like to plug:

Our next performance! Bring your friends!

Rehearsal Pics - LE COUP

2010-12-21T08:06:00.001-08:00

Le Coup

by Denis McGrath

Directed by Dean Gabourie

Fight Directed by Kevin Robinson

A retelling of the famous Duel de Jarnac, said to be the last judicial duel in Europe and containing elements of the duel of chivalry, trial by combat and the duel of Honour. This celebrated sword and buckler duel also contained one of the most famous ‘Botta Segrettas”, the infamous ‘coup de Jarnac’.

Caizo . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Mott

Jarnac . . . . . . . . . . . .Daniel Levinson

Châtaigneraye . . . . . Michael Dufays

Herald . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Robinson

King François I . . . . Stuart Constable

Get To Know Your Fighters - Andrew MacMaster

2010-12-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Andrew MacMaster

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: D’Entragues (Le Duel des Mignions), Davey (The Last Duel of Rob Roy), Roberts (The Pistoleers)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

Since 1986 (Holy Crap! That's 24 years, almost 25!!!)

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

Movies on a Sunday Afternoon = Errol Flynn's "Robin Hood" + Tyrone Power's "The Mark of Zorro" + Michael York, Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain and Frank Finlay's "The Three Musketeers"

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

Simon Fon and I created sword fight for either a fund raiser one of the FDC National workshops, or one of Simon's classes (Although we performed it at all three I think) and we decided to do an eye kill. Simon was brilliant, and the sound every time from every audience when the kill happened was brilliant! It ranged from the macho "Oh yeah", coupled with a nervous laugh to a frightened scream. What a pay off! Wouldn't think of trusting anyone else Simon!

Favourite weapon (and why):

Swept Hilt Rapier - I'm a musketeer at heart

Favourite Fight film/play:

Film: Has to be the 1973 version of "The Three Musketeers", hands down.

Play: Toss up between Dreaming and Dueling for its impact at a very influential time in my life and Dangerous Liaisons for the combination of drama and sword!

Favourite famous fighter:

Tyrone Power

Role you wish you could have played:

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

Oban (if you're buying)

Get To Know Your Fighters - Christian Feliciano

2010-12-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Christian Feliciano

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Gentleman (La Maupin), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
I've been fighting for about 7 years now.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
My interest was sparked as soon as I had my first Stage Combat class in Theatre School. Being at the top of the class (for once) for the Stage Combat unit, helped.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
The most memorable fight for me is the first time we did La Maupin in 2007. During one of the shows our music cut out completely. For anyone who saw the show the first time around, you know that the music is uber important to both the timing of the fight AND dance, and the overall badassness of the scene. So having the music cut out pretty much at the beginning of the fight wasn't a fun surprise. And those of you who know me, you know I like surprises. Luckily I was in the presence of TRUE professionals. We took it in stride and STILL timed out perfectly. It was the most exciting and terrifying fight I've ever been a part of. That said, I don't actually wish to go through that again.

Favourite weapon (and why):

Small Sword has to be my favorite weapon. I say that because it demands precision while fighting at break neck speeds. And who doesn't like precision and broken necks? I do!

Favourite Fight film/play:
It's hard to answer this one because there are so many good films and plays with amazing action. If forced to answer, (he says while Casey points a gun at his head) I'd probably have to say Pirates of the Caribbean. So much swash buckling and rum! :)

Favourite famous fighter:
They aren't actor combatants, but GSP (George St. Pierre) and Manny "Pacman" Paquiao are my favorite fighters. Is Will Smith's kid considered an actor now that he's done Karate Kid? If so, then Jackie Chan is my favorite.

Role you wish you could have played:
All roles that I haven't played yet are the roles I wish I could play. Deep.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Spiced Rum and Tonic. Shut up, it's an amazing drink!

Anything else you'd like to plug:
Sometimes I like to plug my lamps into the wall.

Rehearsal Pics - TWO SWORDS

2010-12-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

Two Swords

by Scott Leaver

Directed by Rosanna Saracino

A Japanese father instructs his son in the ways of honour in the last days of the samuari.

Cast:

Kyokutei . . . . . Michael Dufays

Gosuke . . . . . . .Olaf Sham

Officer . . . . . . . Simon Fon

Assistant . . . . . Scott Leaver

Check Out Our Postcard Art!

2010-12-17T11:47:00.001-08:00

So we have our official postcard art! It was a fun photoshoot, raiding Daniel Levinson's armory (at Rapier Wit) and lying out the weapons in all their glory in different patterns to find the most effective image for our purposes. And then climbing a very tall ladder to take the aerial shot.

And here's the end result:

Here too were the ones that didn't quite make the cut (heh, "cut", funny . . . 'cause it's also something fighter-y) but have their own kind of awesome:

Get To Know Your Fighters - Casey Hudecki

2010-12-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

Casey Hudecki

Producer of DUEL OF AGES

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Maupin (La Maupin), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?
I caught the fight bug at the tender age of sixteen... though I guess I wasn't THAT tender, even then :) So I've been teaching, performing and directing for thirteen years... don't do the math.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?
I was doing a show called Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) and I had to sword fight as Mercutio and Desdemona. Dan Levinson came in to fight direct and I loved it so much in the next three months I had already gone through and passed my Basic Certification Level. I never stopped. I love physical storytelling, and fight scenes, for me, cut to the very heart of characters - how do they face death and pain? What lengths will they go to to survive?

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.
There are so many. Those moments when everything goes wrong (as everything invariably tends to do) but you stay connected with your partner(s). It's like any scene - if someone flubs a line, or misses an entrance - the energy of the actors just goes on overdrive as you work to keep the story moving. When that happens in a fight - it's the same thing only of course there's the potential for real danger - so when you overcome it the feeling is epic. This has happened twice in La Maupin (which you guys will see in the show) once I actually disarmed one of the guys while all three were fighting me, and I found an opening to pick up his sword, hand it back to him, we saluted, and then all picked up the fight at the same moment - and still timed out with the music! It was awesome. And in 2007 at the Fringe, in the same scene, the music cut out early on. All six dancers, we four fighters and the lady just kept it going and we had done it so many times that we were able to still, without any musical landmarks, finish the fight with no dancers stabbed and with the audience totally unaware. It could have been ugly.

Favourite weapon (and why):
Everyone will say I love the smallsword best, and yes, the smallsword and I have a deep and meaningful relationship. It's so pretty, and so devastating. But I also have a two handed longsword, named Zornhau, and sometimes I just need to get in touch with that primal, low, full body weapon style. Feels good. There's nothing wrong with having it out hand to hand either, something so pure about that.

Favourite Fight film/play:
I really love the fight in Rob Roy - Colichemarde vs. basket hilted broadsword - watching those two different weapon styles go at each other is fascinating. And the way Tim Roth moves in that fight.... well... yeah, it's really good.

Favourite famous fighter:
I grew up watching Harrison Ford - he plays the 'ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances' (to steal a phrase from the Legend, Anthony Delongis) so well. I loved the original (as opposed to the CGI animation the "Crystal Skull) Indiana Jones movies because when he gets hit, he gets HURT - and he just keeps trying. He's human, but he's fighting. And then there's Jet Li (So beautiful to watch!). And Jackie Chan (King of selling wounds! and Ingenuity).

Role you wish you could have played:
I really wanted to be Eowyn... but... yeah

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:
Belgian Beer! Preferably Leffe Blonde... Barring that, Rickards Red, or a Heineken (only in the bottle), gin and tonic if it were the summer, but in the winter Red Wine (Shiraz, preferably Long Flat) ...but I"m not picky. :) And if Todd Campbell doesn't answer this question - he likes Rickards White/Blanche de Chambly - with an Orange. Lots of it!

Anything else you'd like to plug:
If you like what we do, come get some training! Classes at Rapier Wit, or with me? Contact me through www.caseyhudecki.com Enjoy the Show!!

Get To Know Your Fighters - Simon Fon

2010-12-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

Simon Fon

Fight Director/Martial Arts Adviser for DUEL OF AGES

Roles in DUEL OF AGES: Gentleman (La Maupin), Officer (Two Swords), Big Bad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

25 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

I was really good at it at a time in my life when other things were not going so well. Fencing as well.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

I'm pretty proud of our award winning fight WANTED.

Favourite weapon (and why):

Escrima sticks. Nasty and quick.

Favourite Fight film/play:

Film - IP MAN

Play - Zastrozzi

Favourite famous fighter:

Donnie Yen

Role you wish you could have played:

Anything opposite Donnie Yen or Gary Oldman

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in DUEL OF AGES:

25 year old OBAN single malt scotch.....double please.

Anything else you'd like to plug?

www.simonfon.com and www.riotact.ca

WE HAVE A TRAILER!

2010-12-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

The official trailer for DUEL OF AGES is here!

Check it out:

Get To Know Your Fighters - Daniel Levinson

2010-12-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Daniel Levinson

Writer/Director/Fight Director for DUEL OF AGES

ROLE in DUEL OF AGES: Jarnac (Le Coup)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

I first took training in 1988 and began to work for myself in 1991.

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

I had no idea I was going to be making stage combat my life. I took it in school with the rest of my class but when I graduated I thought I would do it on the side. Very quickly I realized that I really liked the story telling and the problem solving. I was getting calls from people who liked how I worked and how I made them feel about performing fights.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

I remember putting together a sixteen person fight where the weapons were really pole arms and the whole action took place on the very front of a stage that had its curtain closed to hide the set. With very little room but tremendous acting the performers made the audience feel like they were watching hundreds of people trying to drive each other's army off the field. It was a really amazing moment.

Favourite weapon (and why):

The one in my hand and the next one I am going to pick up.

Favourite Fight film/play:

I always loved the three and four musketeers with Oliver Reed and the Ray Harryhausen films. Oh and the Quiet Man with John Wayne.

Favourite famous fighter:

Todd Campbell

Role you wish you could have played:

I'll let you know later.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

It is an amusing little cocktail called tickets for the next show.

Anything else you'd like to plug:

Rapier Wit. Canada's oldest stage combat school and production company. We have basic classes starting January 18 and run till March as well as an intensive in June running 12 to 26.

Get To Know Your Fighters - Tammy Everett

2010-12-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

Tammy Everett

Roles in DUEL OF AGES - The Poor (Le Duel Des Mignons), Dancer (La Maupin), Crazy Ninja Death Squad (One)

How long have you been fighting. Uh . . . the fake kind of fighting?

Almost 6 years

What got you interested in Stage Combat?

I took a class in my first term at Randolph (theatre school in Toronto) and felt really comfortable with the movement vocabulary, and so wanted to explore it further.

Tell us about a memorable fight moment you've had.

I remember one time, during my advanced certification, a weapon in my martial arts fight rolled right out into where I had to flip my scene partner. There was an audible intake of air, as everyone watching realized what happened and was sure this would either ruin the flow of the fight, or I'd role him anyway and fail, but I avoided his knife slash, ducked under his arm, and dipped and scooped the weapon out of his way before flipping him all in one smooth motion. The whole class let out shocked and impressed exclamations. It's one of my favourite moments because that's when I realized I really was an advanced actor combatant.

Favourite weapon (and why):
Broadsword because holding that powerful but fast weapon and going up against a guy twice my size is the awesomest feeling in the world.

Favourite Fight film/play:
Other people's? That would have to be Equilibrium.

Favourite famous fighter:

I think Jackie Chan is my favourite because, not only is he an extraordinary fighter, but his sense of discovery in fights makes him, to me, the fight equivalent of Fred Astaire.

Role you wish you could have played:

I'm not sure, but if they ever put Huntress in a Batman movie and I don't get to play her I may cry.

Favourite drink that audience members should buy you after witnessing your awesome in Duel of Ages:

uhhhh... I don't drink.

Anything else you'd like to plug:

ummm... I just started a new charitable theatre company and our first season is in 2011...people can check out more info at www.sonusstageproductions.ca

Rehearsal Pics - LA MAUPIN

2010-12-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

La Maupin, conceived and directed by Todd Campbell, combines stage combat, movement and dance. This piece tells the tale of a deadly encounter between three gentlemen and one of the most infamous duellists in 17th century France: the opera singer, swashbuckler and notorious bisexual Julie D’Aubigny also known as La Maupin.

Cast:

Maupin . . . . . . . . . . Casey Hudecki

Gentlemen . . . . . . . Simon Fon, Christian Feliciano, Kevin Robinson

Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . Adrienne Kress

Dancers . . . . . . . . . .Dean Rideout, Stuart Constable*, Sabrina Kolbegger, Rachelle Ganesh, Scott Leaver, Tammy Everett

Rehearsals have begun!

2010-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

We're baaaack!

Yes, DUEL OF AGES has returned for the NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL coming January 2011!

And rehearsals have officially started! We all know what that means . . . The insanity of juggling the schedules of 25 actors plus their directors and fight choreographers has begun!

With nine different duels, and actors performing in at least two scenes each, the madness is indeed maddening.

To quote the Hatter: Why is a raven like a writing desk?

But it wouldn't be fun if it wasn't a bit nutty.

5 weeks to go!

Duel Of Ages

2007-07-02T22:47:00.001-07:00

Duel Of Ages is an ambitious production featuring twenty-one of Toronto's best stage combatants in a showcase of epic proportions. Six scenes by award-winning playwrights highlight the evolution of the duel of honour through the last four hundred years. Comedy, drama, and spectacular action combine into a a one-of-a-kind experience!

Rated NNNN by Now Magazine!

(click for full-size goodness)

Duel Of Ages runs from July 5-15 at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. For ticket information, check the Toronto Fringe Festival website.

Who's Who In "Duel Of Ages"

2007-07-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Bickford, Choreographer
Stephanie is an actress and showgirl in Toronto. Her past Fringe shows include the ensemble hit Black Jack Justice and Prometheus Unbound. Stephanie danced with the Windsor City Ballet Company for 4 years and now performs as burlesque dancer, Miss Honey B. Hind, with Skin Tight Outta Sight. Look for her a the New World Stage Festival’s Speigal Tent at Harbourfront in June, in Skin Tight’s Tikki Tease show at the Gladstone in July and on TV in Across the River in Motor City fall of 2008. www.skintightouttasight.com

Brian Brockenshire, Performer
Brian is an Equity Actor, Director and Fight Director. He has performed with many theatre companies across Ontario including Muskoka, Aquarius, Stratford and Shaw. Some of his favourite roles have been Cyrano de Bergerac, Sweeney Todd, Mercutio and the Marquis de Sade. Brock has been training fighters and choreographing fights for over 10 years. He has studied Stage Combat with numerous Canadian and international Instructors, including Maestro Paddy Crean. He was the resident Fight Director and Instructor during the first four years of the Ontario Renaissance Festival, and the Fight Director and Instructor for the Royal Abingdon Faire. He has taught and choreographed fights for many theatre companies and schools. Most recently, he was the Fight Director for Man of La Mancha staged by CCMP in Mississauga. Brock lives in London, Ontario with his wife and partner Ceris Thomas.

Todd Campbell, Director, Fight Director, Performer, Producer
Todd is a certified Fight Director with Fight Directors Canada and acts as FDC’s Vice President of Activities. Acting credits include Laertes in Hamlet, MacDuff in Macbeth(Tempest Theatre),Verrezzi in Zastrozzi (J.K. Productions), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Manello in Beauty and the Beast (Sudbury Theatre) and Cassius in Julius Caesar (Living Shakespeare Co.). As a fight director Todd has arranged fights for The Tempest Theatre Group, Birdland Theatre, Equity Showcase Theatre, the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Reprecussion Theatre, Tribal Productions and Resurgence Theatre among others. Todd teaches stage combat at the Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts and at Rapier Wit Studios.

Stuart Constable, Performer
Born in the western province of Alberta, a recent graduate of Sheridan Musical Theatre Program previous productions including: As You Like It, West Side Story, Footloose, Village of Idiots and She Loves Me. Stuart is a certified Intermediate Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada.

Michael Dufays, Performer
Michael got his black belt at the age of 11 in Tae Kwon Do and is a certified Instructor with Fight Director's Canada. Recent teaching includes working at the 2007 Region workshop. Previous roles include Romeo, Dromeo, Mercutio, Goerge in the short film Fish n’Chicks and the Lead in the short film Shaolin Delivery Boy.

Christian Feliciano
Christian is a Toronto born Actor, Singer, and Actor-Combatant. Selected theatre credits include: Osric (Hamlet), Gregory/Balthasar (Romeo and Juliet), Don Antonio (The Rover), Lampwick (The Alchemy of Wood), and Narrator/Bob the Saw (Threepenny Opera). As a newly certified Intermediate Actor-Combatant with Fight Directors Canada, Christian is excited and very lucky to be working with some of the best fighters he has ever seen. He thanks all those who spent months upon months supporting and helping him realize his dreams.

Michael Finkbeiner, Performer
A recent graduate of the Randolph Academy, Michael makes his Toronto Fringe Festival debut in A Duel of Ages. Past productions include Candide, Patience, and The Merry Widow, all in conjunction with Toronto Operetta Theatre, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Trevor Graydon), Fight Night 2005, and The Heidi Chronicles (Peter Patrone).

Simon Fon, Martial Arts Adviser
Simon Fon has taught over 7000 people in stage combat over the past 10 years. He is a member of Fight Directors Canada, and holds the title of Fight Master. Simon worked on the Dora Nominated ROMEO AND JULIET - REMIXED with eXpect theatre/Spark productions; the World Premiere production of EL PASO by Michael Miller at Toronto's Factory Theatre; MACBETH at the Grand Theatre (London, Ontario); THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, directed by Robin Phillips, for Soulpepper Theatre at the World Stage; and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and ROAD for Equity Showcase/George Brown. Most recently Simon worked on Leaving Home directed by Ted Dykstra at Soulpepper and both Escape From Happiness and Better Living directed by Ken Gass at Factory Theatre. He teaches at George Brown College, York University, Equity Showcase - Players Academy and Fight Directors Canada National workshops.

Dean Gabourie, Director
Dean is a director, actor, writer, teacher, founding Artistic Director of the Dora Award-winning ACME Theatre Co. and co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of The Co. Dean's previous Fringe outings include: The Laundry, St. George and the Dragon, Altarpieces, Audience/Unveiling/Protest and Crook Back Dicky. Dean is a recipient of the Tyrone Guthrie, Jean Gascon Award.

Kirsten Gundlack Levinson, Writer, Costume Assistant
A graduate of the York University BFA Actor Training Program, Kirsten (“The Pen”) works alongside husband Daniel Levinson (“The Sword”) at the Rapier Wit Studio in Toronto. A freelance writer, she is presently a post-graduate student at The Humber School for Writers and is completing an anthology of short stories. She holds black belts in thrift-store shopping and Ikea furniture assembly.

Casey Hudecki, Performer, Producer, Lighting Designer
Casey is a graduate of the University College Drama Program at the University of Toronto. Her favourite theatre roles include Alais in 'Lion In Winter' (Scaramouche Theatre), Desdemona and Mercutio in 'Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)' (AKA Players), Twin Dromios in 'A Comedy of Errors' (UCDP Showcase). Most recently she was seen seducing Macbeth as a Witch and dying tragically as Lady MacDuff and Young Siward, in Tempest Theatre’s 'Macbeth'. An Advanced Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada, Casey has had considerable training and experience in dramatic combat performance, instructing and fight directing. Casey is trained in the use of Firearms and First Aid and is a co-producer of True Edge Productions.

M. John Kennedy, Performer
M. John is currently filming Team Epic (a new series about Canadian superheroes), he will be seen in The Fringe Festival this summer in Duel of Ages, and can be heard in a regular series of Radio Dramas for Decoder Ring Theatre. M. John can also be found on both sides of the camera with his production company, Live Feed Inc. When not working as an actor or writer, M. John can be found teaching at The Players Academy and The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts .

Scott Leaver
Hailing from St.Catherines, Scott is a recent graduate of the post secondary Triple Threat College Program at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Previous credits include the Phoenix in The Palace of the Cinnabar Phoenix (Patria/R.Murray Schafer), Ching-Ho in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tracey Flye/Bathurst Street Theatre) and Harlequin in Shovels and Sacks (London Fringe).

Daniel Levinson, Fight Director, Performer
Daniel is a certified Fight Director and Fight Instructor with Fight Directors Canada, as well as being the President of Fight Directors Canada. Daniel is the Artistic Director of Rapier Wit and The Rude Mechanicals, and is resident Fight Instructor at Sheridan College and Theatre Erindale. He is also a member of Theatre Ontario's Talent Bank. Daniel has performed with and/or created fights for numerous theatre companies including Factory Theatre, Equity Showcase, Crow's Theatre, Canadian Stage, Skylight Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre Company, The Canadian Opera Company, Earthbound Theatre, Lovers & Madmen, Tarragon Theatre and Theatre Voce.

Andrea Lui, Performer
Andrea is a graduate of York University’s Theatre Program with a BFA in Creative Ensemble and Theatre Production. She is also soon to be a graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts’ College Program. Her recent credits include The Crucible (Annex Theatre), Red Phoenix (Fu-GEN Asian Theatre’s Potluck Festival at Factory Theatre’s CrossCurrents Festival), and The Golden Mickeys (Disney Cruise Lines). Other Toronto Fringe Festival credits include The Fall of Team Justice (Atomic Legion Theatre) and Eros at Breakfast (DomIdeas). She can also be seen in an upcoming production of The Pajama Game (Bathurst Theatre). Andrea is pleased to be continuing her foray into stage combat with True Edge Productions and the various talents from the Fight Directors of Canada.

ANDREW (SANDY) MACMASTER, Performer
Sandy is an Honours Graduate of York University’s Theatre program, with his B.F.A. in Performance. He has previously achieved the level of Advanced Actor/Combatant, with Fight Directors, Canada. Sandy’s most recent role was that of Frank in the production of “Vincent” performed in Meunster, Germany. This marks Sandy’s first appearance with “True Edge Productions” and the third with the “Fight Night” Team. “I’m truly
impressed with the calibre of talent and professionalism in this company…in every
aspect!”…Enjoy the show!

David McCormick, Performer
David is a certified Intermediate Actor-Combatant with Fight Directors Canada, and the current VP of Communications and webmaster for FDC. He has been training in stage combat for over six years, mainly at Rapier Wit. David is an actor, director and fight choreographer. As a performer, he has most recently been seen as Laertes in Hamlet and Edgar in King Lear (both with Forward Theatre). However, his degree in Drama from the University of Waterloo was focused on directing, and his most recent project was a production of Romeo & Juliet in a setting inspired by Lord of the Flies. David will be directing a cyberpunk Macbeth with Forward Theatre in
November.

Craig McDermott, Performer
Craig is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. His recent theatre credits include Vince in Tape, Amintor in Theatre Erindale’s The Maid’s Tragedy and Mr. Roeder in Radium Girls. This summer Craig will be heading out west with Smashin’ Bat Theatre’s production of As You Like It.

Denis McGrath, Playwright
Denis is pleased to be involved with this show since he's narrowly escaped several duels himself. Past Toronto Fringe work includes Pavlov's Brother (with Mark Ellis), (2005,) Shooter (1997,) and two musicals with Scott White: Sleepless (2004) and Top Gun! The Musical (2002.) TG!TM was nominated for two Dora Awards and has enjoyed productions across North America. Recent TV credits include Blood Ties, Charlie Jade,Rent-A-Goalie, Skyland, and two upcoming series: The Border for CBC, and the mystery series, Across the River To Motor City, for CHUM. Denis blogs about Canadian Television at heywriterboy.blogspot.com, and is a contributor to CBC Radio's Q.

Mike McPhaden, Playwright
Mike is a writer and actor originally from Winnipeg. His play Poochwater was nominated for four Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2003, winning him two: Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Performance. Other plays include Flight 198 (SummerWorks 2001), and Noble Parasites (SummerWorks 2005, Theatre Passe Muraille 2007). His performing credits include Poochwater (The Poochwater Collective) WISH (Theatre Rusticle), The Sea (A.R.C.), and Starker (Alchemy Theatre). On screen, Mike has been a recurring guest on CBC’s Air Farce, and has been seen on Blue Murder, Train 48, Relic Hunter, Nights Below Station Street, and others. Mike is a recent grad of the Canadian Film Centre’s Prime Time Television Writers Program.

Laura Miyata – Performer
Laura Miyata is a recent graduate from the Sheridan/U of T acting program. She has developed a more extensive love for combat in the last couple years as a student of Rapier Wit and is excited to be a part of Duel of Ages. Laura is a certified Intermediate Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada.

Christopher Mott, Performer
Christopher is a graduate of the University of Guelph's Drama program, and is a certified Intermediate Actor/Combatant with Fight Directors Canada with over ten years of experience. Past credits include the Ontario Renaissance Festival, Dracula, Jehanne of the Witches and Lion in the Streets at the University of Guelph, MacBeth (Tempest Theatre), Trojan Women (Canopy Theatre), and Les Coquettes Nouveau Burlesque.

Scott Moyle, Performer, Producer
Scott just finished a three-month North American tour as Trent in "Smokescreen" (Roseneath), and is happy to be back in Toronto for his first time performing in the Toronto Fringe Festival. Other recent credits include: Fleance/Messenger in"Macbeth" (Tempest Theatre), a crazy French pirate at the Toronto Pirate Festival, the Mad Hatter at Casa Loma's "Alice In Wonderland" (Wolfworks), and performing with the Men In Tights comedy group. He is an Intermediate Actor-Combatant with Fight Directors Canada, and is fairly certain that pirates are awesome.

Kevin Robinson, Fight Director, Performer
Kevin is a certified Fight Instructor with Fight Directors Canada, as well as an independent Fight Director. He is very excited to once again be part of the violent extravaganza that is a True Edge production. Past productions include Fight Night 2005, Fight Night 2004, Macbeth (Tempest Theatre), The Mechanical Mystery Tour (Fringe 2005), Shakespeare's Gladiator Games (Fringe 2004), Shakespeare's World Cup (Fringe 2003), From Monkeys to Muskets (Fringe 2003). His favourite weapon to use is whatever happens to be in his hand at the moment.

Tammy Nera, Performer
Tammy is very excited to be a part of the Fringe Festival for the first time! Theatre credits include Faraday in I think I can (LKTYP), Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage West Calgary), Anne of Green Gables (Stage West Mississauga), West Side Story (Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary), Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, and Topsy in The King & I (Stratford Festival). Film/TV credits: Save the Last Dance 2 (MTV Films), and you may have caught her dancing in last season’s finale of Canadian Idol. Tammy would like to thank the Thouse gang, and all of her friends and family for their constant support. “Sit tight, and enjoy the show!”

Michael Rubenfeld, Playwright, Director
Michael is a Toronto based actor, writer, director. Previous directing credits include Hannah Moscovitch’s Essay for the Rhubarb! and SummerWorks Festivals (Outstanding Director/Play/Production - NOW) and Assistant Director Alice’s Affair for the Tarragon. In 2004, Michael directed a sold out run of his now published play, Spain for the SummerWorks Festival. (Outstanding Production/New Play – NOW Magazine). Other directing credits include: Red Noses (2005) and Mad Forrest (2002) (Assistant to Eda Holmes/Ryerson University), Kyke Kabaret (Rhubarb! 2003) and two short films: How Sweet It Would Seem and Home.
Michael recently received a workshop grant from the Canada Council for his full-length play My Fellow Creatures. He was also invited to the Banff PlayRites Colony, was awarded the Gibraltor Point Residency Grant on Toronto Island, and was a member of the 2004/05 Buddies in Bad Times Antre Chamber unit, all for the same piece. He is the founder and co-artistic director of Absit Omen Theatre with Hannah Moscovitch. Upcoming, Michael will be directing Essay, by Hannah Moscovitch for the Factory Theatre.

Matt Richardson, Performer
Trained at Theatre Humber in the acting program, Matt first began to study
stage combat in 1989. Since then he has become a member of both Fight Directors Canada and The Society of American Fight Directors, attending numerous workshops on both sides of the border. He has both directed and performed fights for many productions over the years with almost every weapon imaginable, and played many a broadsword swinging soldier in the Stratford Festival productions of Henry VI parts I and II, and Richard III, during the 2002 season.

Siobhán Richardson (formerly Chin), Performer
Siobhan has appeared as an actor, singer, dancer and/or fighter on stage and screen in an extraordinary variety of periods and styles. Favourite roles: Viven Bliss (Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii, Theatre Muskoka), Richmond (Richard III, ACT Productions), Lavinia(Titus Andronicus, Canopy Theatre), Maria (West Side Story, Fallen Rock Productions), Sister Leo (Nunsense, Aha! Communications, and Theatre Cambridge), Ceres (Robot Love, film), and chorus and fight team (Forbidden Phoenix, Citadel Theatre). Most recent credits: Romeo & Juliet (the Grand Theatre, London), and, as assistant Fight Director, the Wrestling Season (LKTYP). Siobhan is an Advanced Actor Combatant with Fight Directors Canada.

Gregg Taylor, Playwright
Since leading Decoder Ring Theatre to Fringe success with Black Jack Justice and Prometheus Unplugged, Gregg has turned the company to the uncharted depths of the internet. Decoder Ring now produces an ongoing series of full-cast audio adventure and mystery programs in the style of the classic broadcasts of radio's golden age. Distributed via podcast from www.decoderringtheatre.com, the shows have attracted thousands of subscribers and were shortlisted for the 1996 Podcast Awards in the "Cultural/Arts" category, and the Parsec Award for Outstanding Audio Drama (short form).

2007-06-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

Dountcount!

2007-06-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

We're just two weeks away from the start of the 2007 Toronto Fringe Festival, and the show is shaping up to be great. Six separate scenes, each using between three and eleven performers... oh my, this is ambitious. Supreme Overlord Todd Campbell is surely using some previously-unknown superpower to pull it all together, but pull it together he does.

Fundraiser!

2007-05-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Theatre ain't cheap, folks, particularily when it's as... swordy as ours. We need to raise some dollars to make Duel Of Ages happen, and we want you to help us do it!

We're very excited to announce our fundraiser on Friday, June 8, starting at 8:00PM. It all goes down at the Rhino bar at 1249 Queen Street West (that would be just west of Dufferin Street), here in lovely Toronto. $10 cover gets you a night of entertainment including burlesque, music, magic, and Secrets Yet To Be Told. We'll also have a raffle with great prizes, the notorious Wheel Of Love And Death, and a Wii Boxing tournament!

As with our previous fundraiser events, this promises to be a killer party. So come on out and support Duel of Ages... because good violence is hard to find!

True Edge Productions Presents Duel Of Ages

2007-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

True Edge Productions (formerly Fight Night Productions) is proud to announce Duel Of Ages, running from to at the Factory Theatre Mainspace as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival.

More information will go here soon.