Macbeth

From the Fight Choreographers

By: Ri Walton and Dennis McLaughlin from Passado.

The director's intent was to create an "asian-fusion" Macbeth to honor and explore all the facets of our Asian community. We were asked to incorporate elements of Philippine, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese martial arts and traditions into the passionate and violent world of Shakespeare's shortest and most brutal play.

The opening tableau illustrates martial art styles from all four cultures - Tai Chi (China) and Tae Kwon Do (Korea) in King Duncan's household center stage; Eskrima work (Philippines) between Macduff and her daughter on your left; and up on your right, Macbeth is instructing Young Siward in traditional Katana technique (Japan) while Banquo looks on. As the play progresses you'll see a combination of basic stage combat and cinematic stunt technique choreographed with an asian "kick" to create the most impact possible.

The first step was to introduce the players to the discipline and technique of stage combat. The general rule is "every minute of combat requires one hundred hours of rehearsal". This show was no exception. The actors went though weeks of technique classes with practice swords before graduating to working with their katanas (long sword), wakisashi (short sword), eskrima (fighting sticks) and shaolin fighting fans.

Of utmost importance was developing respect for the traditions, their weapons, and each other. Ask the actors to name their blade ("ha"), hilt ("tsuka"), or sheath ("saya"); talk to the fight directors about the difference between slow-motion, half-speed, and fight-speed; or speak to a weapons master about the importance of maintaining clean, safe, fight-worthy blades. Or tell any of them to "Hold!" and see what happens?

The students in this production (actors and crew alike!) have shown a level of professionalism and responsibility rarely displayed by adults in the industry. Their attention to safety details, their willingness to work hard, and their creativity and joy in theatre make this one of the best experiences we've had. We are grateful to Russ and Carla Copley for making us a part of Eagle Rock Stage!