Fight Night Returns To LAMDA
On Monday 17 June, the Sainsbury Theatre buzzed with excitement as LAMDA welcomed back the historic Fight Night, an internal event which has not been seen since 2019. This celebrated event, founded in 1977 by John Waller—a pioneer in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and a founding member of the Society of British Fight Directors—has deep roots in LAMDA's history.
John Waller's notable career included a fifty-year association with The Royal Armouries and work on films such as Mary Queen of Scots, Anne of The Thousand Days, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, and Legend. As LAMDA’s Combat Master, he initiated Fight Night in the garden of the old Tower House building, moving it to the MacOwan Theatre by 1980. There, he was joined by his associate Rodney Cottier, who co-taught with him for sixteen years. When Waller moved to Leeds with The Royal Armouries in 1993, his son Jonathan continued the tradition with Rodney for twenty-six years.
By 2014, LAMDA was a significant contributor to the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC), with an impressive 89% of its advanced candidates achieving Gold or higher. In 2016, LAMDA, along with Guildhall, Bristol, and Rutgers University at Shakespeare’s Globe, switched to the British Guild of Stage Combat (BGSC) as their examining body. The BGSC is dedicated to promoting, teaching, and regulating stage combat and theatrical fight choreography in the UK, ensuring high standards of safety and realism.
In 2018, LAMDA's Sainsbury Theatre hosted 79 fighters and 32 fights featuring 30 different weapons and styles, including significant female participation. LAMDA excelled at the BGSC Proficiency Examinations with 104 Distinctions, 58 Merits, and numerous Examiner’s Gold Stars across four levels. Internally, LAMDA awarded the Jubilee Trophy for Best Fight and the Philipson Sword for Outstanding Technique.
After a brief hiatus, Principal & CEO Mark O’Thomas reinstated Fight Night in early 2024. Combat masters Rodney Cottier and Joe Reed collaborated with volunteer students over six weekends in May and June, preparing for the event.
On 17 June, the revival featured fifteen fights with a variety of weapons, including sabres, smallswords, rapiers, and more. The event was a testament to the dedication and skill of both students and staff. The Production and Technical Arts Team staged a beautiful show, demonstrating the potential to reach the high standards set in 2018. With continued effort, LAMDA might reintroduce the Fight Trophy in the near future.
Bravo to everyone involved in bringing back this exciting and historic event!
