Choreographing the final fight in Two Gents: Director Hardiman works with Brett Wands to build the exciting climax of the show. The weapons chosen are two unlike weapon forms: Rapier and Dagger and Quarterstaff. This is decided upon because Valentine, having been banished, had to seek refuge in the forest, where he would have limited access to weapons. Proteus comes from the court of the Duke and is armed with the weapons of a gentleman. This characterizes AND highlights the contrasts of the natural condition in the forest against the calculated Machiavellian world in the court.
Brett wands and Mark Hardiman choreograph the final fight for Two Gents. The initial moves are sketched out and developed.
Unusual moves are required because of using such different weapon styles. A sword is about 3 feet long while the Quarterstaff is 6 feet long. This makes many strategic choices for the characters.
Here the size difference in the weapons is particularly clear. Hardiman is parrying an attack made by Wands while advancing into the attack, which speaks to the desperation of the character.
Finally, the actors in the scene are taught the choreography and it is refined and adapted for their particular body types, character motivations and combat experience.
Not only do we pay attention to the story, safety, the motivated choreography, but artistic considerations are made that make the fight visually appealing from various sides of the house. This is done so that audience members can appreciate the fight both dramatically and aesthetically no matter where they sit in the audience.
