We see it almost everyday, from our TV screens to West End theatres – Stage Combat! From ancient Greeks to present day, the art of stage combat has been mastered and tailored to provide a safe but effective way to portray the conflicts that occur in both real life and in fantasy.

Stage combat is seen performed today in film, television and theatre. Whether it’s a simple slap around the face, to the complex use of rapier and dagger, True Edge is offering a safe, fun and exciting way to learn this versatile craft from the expansive knowledge of our instructors.

Rachid’s passion for combat was evident from a young age. Whilst his sister had multiple viewings of anything Disney, Rachid would watch everything Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee or Jeane-Claude Van Damme churned out religiously.

This early education came to fruition during his time at Brit school where he and Roy Taylor (Vice-President of the British stunt register) would choreograph fights on their lunch breaks.

It was during three years of actor training at the GSA, Rachid discovered stage combat. Here, he always achieved the highest grades in class and won the fight choreography competition.

His career as an actor grew, working in the West End, for the National and on TV.  Rachid was impressed with the choreography works of Kev McCurdy and Malcolm Ransom. The latter of which recommended Rachid pursue a career in the combat world and where the first seed of thought for True Edge was born.

From there, Rachid completed his teaching apprenticeship for the BADC under the guidance of his mentor Andrew Ashenden. He also achieved his Black belt in Tae Kwon Doe (WTF) and several coaching Badges for the British Academy of Fencing.

Some of his stage credits as a Fight Choreographer/Arranger include; The Jungle (St Annes Warehouse, NYC), Aladdin (West End/Disney), The seven ages of patience (Kiln Theatre, London) The Snow Queen (The Rose Theatre), Sugar (Tricycle Theatre) Romeo and Juliet (Piccadilly theatre, West End)

TV credits; 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel4/Zeppotron, season 09 –  present) The WALK (Granada Television) and Wannabes (BBC).

Originally from Canada, Jessica trained at the Guildford School of Acting graduating from the three-year acting programme. Since graduating she has worked in theatre and film receiving high praise for her performances. From a young age Jessica was involved in martial arts and while at drama school was able to put this experience into her stage combat training, becoming a qualified teacher with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (B.A.D.C.).

Jessica is currently the fight teacher for ALRA North and PQA Studios and has taught at various other colleges such as: Mountview, East15, RCSSD, Rose Bruford, D&B and Performers.

Fight Choreography Credits: 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel4/Zeppotron, season 09 to present), The Snow Queen (The Rose Theatre), Felix and the Scootermen: Self-Help Yourself Famous (Edinbugh Fringe Underbelly), Boudica (LEH Productions), To Kill a Canary (Kenton Theatre), As You Like It (Southwark Playhouse), The Incredible Paul F Taylor (Edinburgh Fringe), T’is Pity (Audley & Co. Productions, Edinburgh Fringe), Chop Chop (4D Pictures),Cubicle Two (Birthday Boy Films), Romeo and Juliet (Leicester Square Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Highgate School), Romeo and Juliet (Archbishop Tenison’s School), Lead us into temptation (OMAC and The Old Red Lion Theatre), King Lear (Merchant Taylors Liverpool), Justice (The Old Red Lion Theatre), Henry V (Tour de Force)
Fight Captain: The Rover (Guildford Castle Grounds)

Jessica is also Vice Chair, Diversity Officer and Secretary for the B.A.D.C. and a probationary examiner

The short film Cubicle Two was nominated for ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.

Hadley trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2015. It was here where he got his first taste of stage combat, achieving his standard level with the BADC. During a national tour of Romeo & Juliet, in the role of Mercutio, Hadley found his passion for stage combat growing and, on completion of the tour, looked to continue his training.

Charlotte Price is an English/ Irish actor, fight performer and Apprentice Stage Combat Teacherwith the BADC (Sept 2020), under True Edge’s Rachid Sbitri.

She trained at ArtsEd, and continuesto work professionally as an actor, with credits including The National Theatre and feature film“Acceptable Damage” (Sky/ Amazon Prime). Charlotte is a qualified advanced combatant with theBADC with an overall average of 94% Distinction. She is proficient in Gun Handling, Blank Firing and adventure sports including skiing, abseiling and horse riding.

Actor-Combatant creditsinclude: The Three Musketeers (National Tour), Macbeth (UK and Gibraltar Tour), Fair Alien Jr.(Bollywood Action Feature Film), Carnage “Holy Moly” Music Video (Stunt Double and Actor).Fight Directing credits include: Macbeth (YSC), The Hankerbox (Short Film) and Coelacanth(Fringe). Fight Teaching credits include: StageCoach, PQA, TheatreTrain, Park TheatreMasterclasses.

Charlotte recently trained in Combat in Canada as part of the IOSP Paddy CreanWorkshop, as well as being the winner of the BADC’s William Hobbs Bursary 2018.

Twitter: @CharlottePrice_