ABSTRACT
One relative newcomer to the landscape of contemporary theatre is the art of stage combat. Simply defined, stage combat is the art of truthfully and safely depicting a moment of violence in a theatrical milieu. Stage combat at this period was little more than banging swords together in a prearranged pattern that was easy to remember. It has come to, somewhat universally, signify a series of techniques that safely and truthfully depict a moment of violence. While there is no definitive etymology, and indeed it is still referred to by various names, stage combat is the most common nomenclature found in the industry. The majority of the stage combat technique taught today has its roots in the Victorian stock phrases as well as saber sport fencing.
