Independent Drama caters for all levels of ability from complete beginner to experienced fight performer. Courses are run by certified stage combat teachers who are working industry professionals and many lead to accredited industry recognised qualifications with stage combat examining bodies such as the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat (BASSC) and the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC).
If you're looking for private lessons, schools / corporate workshops, or just something else more bespoke, contact us via this booking request form and we'll do our best to cater your needs.
Weekly Drop-In Sessions Every Sunday @ Archway (£10 cash on the door)
Martial Arts for Actors - 21st October
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 21st October 2018
Time: 17:00-18:30
This weekly drop in class is designed to improve fitness, power and flexibility which are all key elements in becoming a proficient action performer.
IDEAL FOR ACTORS
We aim to provide traditional martial arts training within a supportive environment ideal for actors. Everyone is welcome, so whether you have no previous experience, are currently out of shape or already train in other martial arts feel free to join us.
Techniques learnt can be applied to theatrical performance and we will practice this at combat labs throughout the year.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The class will focus on San Shou Kuan which is an amalgam of traditional Northern Long Fist (Ch'arng Ch'uen) Shaolin Kungfu and Western Kickboxing.
Techniques covered include a wide range of kicks, punches as well as throwing, take downs, ground work, locks and escapes. Forms and fixed sparring will also be taught. For senior students, free sparing, knife, staff, sword, 3 section staff and breaking are also taught.
Classes will be taught by certified San Shou Kuan instructors.
CAN I GET A BLACK BELT?
Students can choose their training objective and either come along as often or as little as they like and wear regular training clothes or may choose to go through a traditional belt grading system, get the uniform and work to whatever level they wish from white belt through to black belt and instructor.
For those wishing to go through the grading system you can sign up as San Sho Kuan club members (35 pounds per year) at any time. The club is affiliated to the British Council of Chinese Martial Arts, the European WuShu Federation and the International WuShu Federation. Members can also compete at local, national, European and world levels. For those students wishing to increase their training there are other San Shou Kuan clubs around London who will be happy to welcome our students. We would recommend this for students wishing to progress to higher belt gradings.
Students need a minimum of 16 hours of training in San Shou Kuan between each of their gradings.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 21st October 2018
Time: 18:30-21:30
These sessions are designed to provide a space for students, teachers and friends of ID to keep up their combat skills or for complete beginners to have a go at stage combat. Ideal for students taking fight exams or training with stage and screen combat academies to meet and exchange ideas with like-minded people.
There will always be an ID Teacher on site to help out where required and to manage the space but these are not compulsory structured classes. What you practise at the Combat Lab is at your discretion and you are responsible for ensuring you work safely, warm up appropriately, and wear suitable training attire.
All students are welcome to join in with group drills and exercises including footwork, parries, tumbling, weapon specialisms, choreography and much more. Sometimes we run themed sessions in which a structured class is taught - students have the option to partake or they can use available space to work on something else.
We usually have polypropene training swords, rubber training knives and handguns, plus a limited number of steel rapier and daggers for students to use. Bring your own training weapons (please show these to the teacher first; no firearms allowed) or let us know if you would like us to bring something along for you to borrow.
It is a casual class - you can turn up / leave at any time between 18:30-21:30. Please note the first 15 minutes is usually dedicated to selk warm up and social time and an opportunity for new students to talk to teachers about what they would like to achieve.
A list of all the training offered by ID from accredited stage combat courses to firearms, horseriding and more.
All Accredited Courses
All of the following courses are accredited by the BADC or BASSC. These are the two longest established academies for training in dramatic combat in the UK, and are industry recognised and respected internationally.
BADC Accredited Courses
Actors can train to achieve all levels of BADC qualifications in dramatic combat: Foundation, Standard, Intermediate, Advanced and Weapon Specialisation. Each course covers a selected group of weapon systems chosen from a wide range of BADC Syllabuses.
BASSC Accredited Courses
The BASSC syllabus is taught at RADA, Central School of Speech and Drama, DSL and many other leading drama schools. It is also taught internationally in the USA, Russia, Italy, Israel and Spain. Courses focus specifically on one weapon system allowing sufficient time to build strong foundation skills.
Theatrical Firearms
Learn the safety, law and handling techniques when working with firearms and ensure that you look competent and confident handling guns in action roles. From blank firing to room clearances our courses have been designed by our Theatrical Firearms Instructors who have trained and/or consulted with UK police, UK and US Military, Fight Directors, Stunt Coordinators and film Armourers to make the training relevant, fun and great value for money.
Aerial & Wirework
Aerial performance and wire stunts training.
Drop-In Term Passes
If your serious about keeping your skills current or just like hanging out with other actors who like to fight then save some money with our term passes. Our drop-in sessions are already amazing value but we like to reward loyalty so book now and make sure your trained and ready when that dream casting comes along.
Horse Riding
Get on horseback and get some serious skills under your belt. Whether you're a complete novice or an experienced rider, our riding courses are tailored to suit you and aimed at getting you film or show ready.
Venue: Carole Young Community Centre, 1st Floor, Cranston Estate, London N1 5EH
Date: Saturday 27th October 2018
Time: 10:00-18:00
This course takes a military angle looking at the weapons and tactics from the army to special ops.
Learn the techniques to accurately play a professional soldier in the armed forces.
With more focus on rifle work, this course will cover:
Rifle handling - loading, reloading, moving, stances, etc.
Tactical maneuvers
Close quarters battle
Room clearance
Sniping
Field stripping (pistol)
Independent Drama runs a complimentary Firearms course called Firearms: Civilian & Law Enforcement.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a voucher, which can be used for one of our weekly drop-in classes, 'Martial Arts for Actors' or 'Combat Lab'.
Early bird price: £100.00, expires after 27/08/18.
Standard price: £140.00, Previous ID students £120.00, BADC/BASSC Members £120.00.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 28th October 2018 to Sunday 9th December 2018
Time: 10:00-17:00
The broadsword has captured the imagination of story tellers for centuries, often linked with the hero and their quest. From fantasy characters such as Aragorn (LotR) and half the cast of Game of Thrones, to theatre classics such as Macbeth and Robin Hood it's a weapon actors can expect to come across time and time again. The course will focus on the hand and a half sword allowing the single handed or two handed use.
During the course students will learn the techniques required to perform an effective broadsword fight and will have the opportunity at the end of the course to take the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat Fight Performance Test. The test fee is included in the course price. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will be expanding upon their knowledge of performing a dramatic fight scene with dialogue.
Early bird price: £270.00, expires after 28/08/18.
Standard price: £335.00, Previous ID students £300.00, BADC/BASSC Members £300.00.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Monday 3rd December 2018 to Sunday 9th December 2018
Time: 09:00-17:00
Yes, the quarterstaff is a broom handle all grown up but don't underestimate this humble weapon. Used by such Hollywood legends as Kevin Costner (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves), Eddie Murphy (Coming To America) and Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), the staff is the weapon of choice when you want to stick it to them!
Readily available and cheap, the staff has been a favoured weapon for both western and eastern warriors for centuries. Famous fencing masters of old including George Silver and Joseph Swetnam all agreed that the staff was among the best, if not the very best, of all hand weapons.
During the course students will learn the techniques required to perform an effective quarterstaff fight and will have the opportunity at the end of the course to take the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat Fight Performance Test. The test fee is included in the course price. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will be expanding upon their knowledge of performing a dramatic fight scene with dialogue.
Early bird price: £270.00, expires after 03/10/18.
Standard price: £335.00, Previous ID students £300.00, BADC/BASSC Members £300.00.
Venue: Carole Young Community Centre, 1st Floor, Cranston Estate, London N1 5EH
Date: Wednesday 2nd January 2019 to Friday 11th January 2019
Time: 09:30-17:00
No classes on the weekend; Friday finishes at 13:00.
Now you can learn to fight like your favourite hero's or villains! From music videos to west end shows stage combat plays an important role in helping performers entertain their audiences through the simulation of violence.
This course will help you develop a professional knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods used in stage combat including fundamental safety techniques. The course will focus on rapier & dagger, favoured weapon of the Musketeers and many a Shakespeare play.
Students will have the opportunity at the end of the course to certify with the BASSC in Rapier & Dagger. The test fee is included in the course price.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £290.00, expires after 02/11/18.
Standard price: £340.00, Previous ID students £310.00, BADC/BASSC Members £310.00.
Sunday 6th January 2019 to Sunday 10th February 2019
For absolute beginners or those with no previous British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) qualifications, or those wishing to renew an expired BADC Standard (level 1) certificate.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 6th January 2019 to Sunday 10th February 2019
Time: 09:00-17:00
This is a weekly course running every Sunday.
This course will cover rapier and dagger, single sword and unarmed combat techniques.
This is an intensive course where students will learn how to safely perform fight choreography in each of the three fight disciplines. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will work on incorporating their fight choreography into dramatic scenes. Exploring topics such as character objective, fight rhythm and staging actors will learn to create a fight where they are connected and truthful and as such engaging to an audience.
Students will have the opportunity at the end of the course to certify with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat at Standard level in rapier & dagger, single sword and unarmed combat. The test fee is included in the course price.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £310.00, expires after 06/11/18.
Standard price: £385.00, Previous ID students £345.00, BADC/BASSC Members £345.00.
Venue: Carole Young Community Centre, 1st Floor, Cranston Estate, London N1 5EH
Date: Monday 14th January 2019 to Thursday 24th January 2019
Time: 09:30-17:00
No classes on the weekend; Friday finishes at 13:00.
This course is suitable for complete beginners and those combatants looking to improve their kicking, fighting fitness and improve their casting opportunities for roles requiring martially trained characters. Unarmed is probably the most requested skill set for fight performers and this course will cover all the essential basics and build your strength and power to make you a more believable fighter for screen combat.
Training will be a mixture of stage combat and traditional Chinese kickboxing (San Shou Kuan). The course will culminate in an exam with the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat in unarmed fighting.
For those students interested there will be an opportunity to take your first martial arts grading if you wish. There will also be an option to do this later in the year at one of many gradings in London. We will also be running weekly drop in classes on Sundays for those who wish to continue their martial arts training.
The course cost includes test fees for both the BASSC exam and the first San Shou Kuan grading, as well as membership to the BASSC and San Shou Kuan for 1 year.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £290.00, expires after 14/11/18.
Standard price: £340.00, Previous ID students £310.00, BADC/BASSC Members £310.00.
Wednesday 30th January 2019 to Sunday 10th February 2019
For absolute beginners or those with no previous British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) qualifications, or those wishing to renew an expired BADC Standard (level 1) certificate.
Venue: Carole Young Community Centre, 1st Floor, Cranston Estate, London N1 5EH
Date: Wednesday 30th January 2019 to Sunday 10th February 2019
Time: 09:00-17:00
No classes on the weekend except the last day of the course (Sunday 10th February); Friday finishes at 13:00. The fight performance test will take place on the last day of the course, Sunday 10th February at our Archway venue.
This course will cover rapier and dagger, single sword and unarmed combat techniques.
This is an intensive course where students will learn how to safely perform fight choreography in each of the three fight disciplines. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will work on incorporating their fight choreography into dramatic scenes. Exploring topics such as character objective, fight rhythm and staging actors will learn to create a fight where they are connected and truthful and as such engaging to an audience.
Students will have the opportunity at the end of the course to certify with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat at Standard level in rapier & dagger, single sword and unarmed combat. The test fee is included in the course price.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £310.00, expires after 30/11/18.
Standard price: £385.00, Previous ID students £345.00, BADC/BASSC Members £345.00.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 17th February 2019 to Saturday 24th March 2018
Time: 09:30-17:00
This is a weekly course running every Sunday.
You've seen the swashbuckling movies both old and new. Now is your chance to learn to fight like Zorro, Jack Sparrow and the loveable rouges from the Princess Bride. Swashbuckling is fun but it's also a challenging skill to fight like you love it whilst keeping the tension and fear needed to give the audience goose bumps. Fight right handed, fight left handed and look cool whilst you do it.
Students will learn the techniques required to perform an effective swashbuckling fight and will have the opportunity at the end of the course to take the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat Fight Performance Test. The test fee is included in the course price. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will be expanding upon their knowledge of performing a dramatic fight scene with dialogue.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £290.00, expires after 17/12/18.
Standard price: £340.00, Previous ID students £310.00, BADC/BASSC Members £310.00.
Venue: Carole Young Community Centre, 1st Floor, Cranston Estate, London N1 5EH
Date: Monday 18th March 2019 to Sunday 24th March 2019
Time: 09:30-17:00
No classes on the Saturday; Friday finishes at 13:00. The fight performance test will take place on the last day of the course, Sunday 24th March at our Archway venue.
Knife is one of the most common weapons used in theatre to portray violent conflict and as such is a great weapon to understand as an actor. Relatively available to characters from all social classes the knife is quick and deadly.
Students will learn the techniques required to perform effective knife fights and will have the opportunity at the end of the course to take the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat Fight Performance Test. (Test fee included in course prices).
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £290.00, expires after 18/01/19.
Standard price: £340.00, Previous ID students £310.00, BADC/BASSC Members £310.00.
For absolute beginners or those with no previous British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) qualifications, or those wishing to renew an expired BADC Standard (level 1) certificate.
Venue: Room 10 (Top Floor), Archway Methodist Church, Archway Close, London N19 3TD
Date: Sunday 7th April 2019 to Sunday 12th May 2019
Time: 09:00-17:00
This is a weekly course running every Sunday.
This course will cover rapier and dagger, single sword and unarmed combat techniques.
This is an intensive course where students will learn how to safely perform fight choreography in each of the three fight disciplines. The course will also focus on acting skills and students will work on incorporating their fight choreography into dramatic scenes. Exploring topics such as character objective, fight rhythm and staging actors will learn to create a fight where they are connected and truthful and as such engaging to an audience.
Students will have the opportunity at the end of the course to certify with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat at Standard level in rapier & dagger, single sword and unarmed combat. The test fee is included in the course price.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £310.00, expires after 07/02/19.
Standard price: £385.00, Previous ID students £345.00, BADC/BASSC Members £345.00.
Venue: Phoenix Brighton, 10-14 Waterloo Place, Brighton BN2 9NB
Date: Monday 8th July 2019 to Friday 12th July 2019
Time: 09:00-17:00
This course is suitable for complete beginners and those combatants looking to improve their unarmed fighting skills for film and theatre. Unarmed is probably the most requested skill set for fight performers and this course will cover all the essential basics and build your strength and power to make you a more believable fighter.
We will also focus on acting skills and students will work on incorporating their fight choreography into dramatic scenes. Exploring topics such as character objective, fight rhythm and staging, actors will learn to create a fight where they are connected and truthful and as such engaging to an audience.
The course culminates in an exam with the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat in unarmed fighting, providing industry recognised certification.
FREE TRAINING: All students will receive a free drop-in session voucher to be used at either of our weekly drop-in classes (Martial Arts for Actors or Combat Lab).
Early bird price: £290.00, expires after 08/05/19.
Standard price: £340.00, Previous ID students £310.00, BADC/BASSC Members £310.00.
