| Some of the most thrilling aspects of stage | | | | resembles a regular foil, the dagger, and the |
| performances involve combat. For example, what | | | | broadsword. Rapiers may also be used. Stage |
| would Hamlet be without its numerous battles? | | | | combat moves vary depending on what sword is |
| What would Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of | | | | used; for example, a rapier fight will be more |
| Penzance be without its piratical swashbuckling? | | | | "nimble" than one using larger weapons. The |
| Whether the performance is a comedy or | | | | swords may either be real, or props constructed |
| tragedy, a "straight" play or a musical, there may | | | | to look like weapons. The latter, of course, is less |
| be scenes of combat. | | | | dangerous for the actors, but requires more work |
| Of course, real fighting on stage is not advisable, | | | | to seem real. |
| simply because it would be highly dangerous for | | | | In most productions, the stage fencing routines |
| the performers involved. Theater creates | | | | are developed by the choreographer of the play |
| convincing illusions; combat is no exception to this. | | | | or musical. For larger scale productions, or for |
| Therefore, an entire array of practices has been | | | | routines involving many intricate techniques, a |
| developed by directors and choreographers. | | | | separate fight choreographer may be used. |
| Usually, they incorporate actual moves from | | | | Thesechoreographers are trained especially in |
| martial arts or other disciplines, but change them | | | | stage combat, and are more skilled in developing |
| to be less dangerous for the actors involved. | | | | flashier routines. |
| These techniques are collectively known as | | | | Stage combat, when executed in the theatre, is |
| "stagecombat." | | | | highly routine. Although the moves may seem |
| One of the more common types of stage | | | | thrilling and immediate, they have been rehearsed |
| combat is stage fencing. Stage fencing uses many | | | | time after time at varying speeds. Improvisation |
| of the moves and techniques common in | | | | cannot be a part of swordfights on stage, simply |
| traditional fencing, but modifies them. For | | | | because it would be dangerous to introduce an |
| example, a move may be altered so that the | | | | unexpected change when swords are involved. |
| sword used does not travel near the actor's face. | | | | Despite this routine, however, when done well, |
| Stage fencing may incorporate several different | | | | stage combat can be spectacularly done and |
| weapons. Among these are the stage foil, which | | | | extremely convincing. |