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Squaring up to Zorro at the Mayflower
IT is a musical that has taken
years to bring to the stage
and a role so physically
demanding that one reckless
lunge of a sword could
injure the lead actor.
This I learned while squaring up to
legendary swordsman Zorro at The
Mayflower theatre, as lead actor Matt
Rawle taught me a lesson - never
underestimate the magic of theatre.
As a keen member of the fencing
club when I was ten years old I
thought a second place finish in the
monthly middle school competition
would stand me in good sted.
I really didn't think it would be
hard to lock swords with the actor
who is currently wowing audiences
in Southampton ahead of the show's
West End run - but I couldn't have
been more wrong.
Not only is the art of fencing more
difficult than I remember, my knowledge
of the theatrical world is also
seriously lacking - as I came to
realise, there is no such thing as a
harmless plastic sword in Zorro.
The metal weapons used are
designed for well-trained actors and
could easily injure a Daily Echo journalist
who is slightly reckless and
clearly didn't have a clue what he
was doing.
"I have been training for sword
fighting and fencing since December
with Terry King who is one of the
best swordsmen in the country," said
Matt, who was dressed as Zorro's
alter-ego Don Diego.
"It's not about stage combat, you
really have to know fencing to
perform the role. It is a show with
lots of sword fighting and swinging
on ropes so you have to be very fit to
be able to take up the role," he added.
Quickly swishing the silver foil in
zig-zag motion, Matt demonstrated
how he performs the signature "Z"
mark which the masked hero makes
with his blade.
"You have to be very fast," he said,
and despite reassurances that my
attempt was not that bad', I was
pretty sure if I was to try and repeat
the Zorro moves on stage I could
easily injure those sitting in the
front row of the audience.
In fact, as the musical continues its
world premier run at Southampton
and
other
theatres
in the
UK before
hitting the
West End next
month, Matt
revealed the swordplay
doesn't always go
according to plan.
"At a previous show I was left
with a scratch on my chest while
fighting with a female actor," he said.
Attempting a battle in the entrance
of the theatre, I lunged a sword at my
opponent, but the Zorro star was
more than able to defend any attacks
from this inexperienced swordsman.
Slightly nervous about how much
there is to learn about the simplest
sword fighting moves, the theatre
staff were not the only ones who were
relieved when Matt was called away
to prepare for the afternoon show.
On the advice of people watching,
I decided to leave the swordplay
to the professionals and cut
short the desire to reprise
my childhood hobby.
9:07am Friday 21st March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steph, Southampton on 6:28pm Fri 21 Mar 08
I Saw Zorro Wednesday Night, Was Better That I thought It Would Be! Really Good!
Matts Gorgeous!
x
I Saw Zorro Wednesday Night, Was Better That I thought It Would Be! Really Good!
Matts Gorgeous!
x
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