Most theater-goers are familiar with the iconic Shakespearean scene from “Henry V” when the titular king shouts out to his soldiers: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!”
But how do the actors — many of whom are swinging swords and shields — ensure that once they go unto the breach, no one gets an eye poked out?
That’s where stage combat training comes in.
This Saturday, Eric Frantz — a fight director with the Frazier History Museum and Kentucky Shakespeare — and Kentucky Shakespeare education director Kyle Ware will work with local actors on stage fighting techniques and history.
I stopped by Wednesday morning to hear about the basics of wielding weapons onstage — which it turns out, in many ways, is less like a fight and more like a tango.
You can listen in the audio player above.
More information about the workshop is available here.
