Stage Fighting For Beginners

The Rag Factory is a new charitable, not-for-profit, non-commercial organisation supporting the performing community in London. We're based just off Brick Lane, only a few minutes walk from both Liverpool Street and Aldgate East stations.

Amongst the many things we're offering to the performing community, we've teamed up with the internationally-recognised YoungBlood stage combat people to offer a course for newbies to fighting on stage.

Absolute Beginners is a one-term (11 week) course covering the fundamentals of unarmed combat and stage swordplay. If you've never held a sword before, if you want to play Mercutio, if you'd like a skill to save you pain and embarrassment, or you'd like to refresh the skills you've learned elsewhere, this course is for you.

YoungBlood is an acclaimed group of stage combat experts who practice what they preach. Their consultants provide fight direction to a wide range of film, TV and theatre projects.
That same expertise and experience is used in the delivery of highly-regarded workshops and classes, from introductory combatant courses to specialist martial arts and mounted combat training. They teach to all British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) Levels (1 to 3). YoungBlood's founder is Tim Klotz.

These classes cover the BADC Level 1 syllabus without the pressure of the first exam; those who wish to continue can move onto a second term to prepare for the exam.

Classes will take place on Monday and Thursday nights at The Rag Factory. You will need to elect which night you would like to attend for the whole term, as you will not be able to swap nights. All classes start at 7pm sharp and last 2 hours. All equipment is provided, YoungBlood is fully insured, and everyone who attends should have a lot of fun, too.

The regular price for the complete 11-week term is £143. However Amdram members can qualify for the concession price of £127, or less than £12 per class. Please make sure to mention TURNS when booking.

The terms will start on Tuesday 2nd May (confusingly not a Monday as 1st May is a Bank Holiday) and Thursday 4th May.

There will be a free, no-obligation "taster" class on Tuesday 25th April. If you would like to attend this introductory class then please send an email to classes@youngblood.co.uk so that we can reserve you a place. This will not be a drop-in class: you must book in advance.

For more information, to read testimonials from past students, and to book your place, please visit the YoungBlood site. Places are limited to enable us to guarantee the quality of the classes.

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