Dramatic Combat Intensive (Standard)

Monday 20 July – Saturday 25 July 
OR
Monday 3 August – Saturday 8 August 2026

Please note that both sessions are now fully booked. Please email [email protected] to be added to waitlist.

This 6-day course, led by professional fight directors and registered BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat) combat instructors, culminates in an in-house exam, leading to an internationally recognised BADC certification. 

The BADC Standard qualification is the fundamental building block of all stage combat training and is accepted as the industry standard level of training expected of professional actors. At our state-of-the-art facilities in Peckham, for an investment of £400 (exam fee included), a maximum of 12 participants per cohort will receive a tailored introduction to a range of armed and unarmed techniques and establish an easily transferable skill set. 

The course provides a solid foundation for handling the wide range of weapon styles and performance demands that professional actors are likely to encounter.

Key Course elements:

  • Safety principles
  • Technical competence
  • Commitment and intention
  • Choreographed sequences
  • Performance context

In summer 2025, 100% of participants passed their standard combat exam at the end of this course.

After participants have passed their standard combat exam, they are eligible to register for Dramatic Combat Intensive: Further Weapons

Places on this course are limited, and early registration is advised. 

Course Details

Course Fee: £400

Entry Requirements: Applicants must be aged 18 or over at the start of the course. The course will be delivered in English, and participants must have a sufficient level of fluency to engage with it.

In booking a place on this course, participants confirm that they are prepared to engage with a wide range of material that they may find challenging.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Course Leader: Marcello Marascalchi

Marcello has been involved in stage and screen combat for over 3 decades. In that time, he has taught at several London drama schools and travelled the UK and Europe offering workshops and fight choreography for Opera, Theatre, and film companies.

Marcello has also worked as an actor for 30 years and as such this puts him in the unique position of knowing exactly what skills are required to be a competent and safe actor/combatant for stage and screen. Having worked on such films as Captain America, Interview with a Hitman, Rush, First Knight, Ben Hur, Rise of the Foot Soldier 3 and, most recently, Mission Impossible 7 –Dead Reckoning, Marcello has gained many insights into what directors want and expect from actors that may be required to do their own fights and small stunts.

As the lead fight instructor/director at Mountview for 12 years, Marcello is delighted to be able to offer professional actors and those still in training the chance to gain an industry recognised qualification in combat.

Faculty

Hadley Smith 

Hadley is an Actor, Fight Performer, Fight Director and Certified Stage Combat Instructor with The British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC). Some of his recent credits include The Three Musketeers (New Vic) and Wendy & Peter Pan (RSC/Barbican).

Hadley also co-runs True Edge, a Stage Combat Training Company and Fight Agency, providing fight performers for Film, TV and Stage. This Summer, Hadley will be fight directing at Kynren – The Storied Lands, a brand new Live Action Show Park, the first of its kind in UK which is home to multiple large scale fight and stunt shows with a cast of over 50 performers.

He has also taught stage combat at a number of drama schools including Rose Bruford, Italia Conti & Mountview. 

Rachid Sabitri 

Rachid Sabitri is a British-Moroccan fight director, actor, writer and founder of True Edge, one of the UK’s leading stage combat companies and action specialist agencies. 

Rachid has worked across theatre, television and film on both sides of the Atlantic. 

As a fight director, Rachid has worked at the highest levels of British theatre. His credits include Jeremy Herrin’s productions of The Long Day’s Journey Into Night and The Mirror & The Light (both West End and RSC), Stephen Daldry’s The Jungle (St Anne’s Warehouse, New York), Casey Nicholaw’s Aladdin (West End), and A 1000 Splendid Suns at Birmingham Rep.  

On screen, his action coordination credits include Last One Laughing (Zeppatron/Initial TV), 8/10 Cats Does CountdownThe Last Leg, and The Courtship (NBC). 

As an actor, Rachid has appeared in Brassic (Sky), The Ipcress File, HomelandGeneration Kill (HBO), Madam Secretary (CBS), Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS), and Dr Who (BBC Wales). He has also performed on stage at the National Theatre, in the West End, and Off-Broadway, including in The Jungle, Disney’s Aladdin, and Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors. 

Rachid holds an MA in Scriptwriting from Goldsmiths University and a BA in Theatre and Music from the Guildford School of Acting, and has written and produced several short films, including the multi-award-winning LARGO. 

FAQ's

Where will the Intensive take place?

Mountview, 120 Peckham Hill St, London SE15 5JT

What are the course timings?

Monday 20 July – Saturday 25 July

OR 

Monday 3 August – Saturday 8 August 2026

The course runs from 10am-6pm Monday – Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday. Exact timings are subject to change; participants will receive a confirmed timetable prior to the course start date.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and shoes that allow movement.

Mountview Short Courses Terms and Conditions

1. All participants must meet the age requirements specified for the course.

2. Enrollment is confirmed only upon receipt of full payment (and in specified cases, a completed registration form).

3. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Mountview reserves the right to cap enrollment based on capacity.

4. All course fees must be paid in full before the course start date and course places are non-transferable.

5. Payments can be made by credit card, bank transfer, or other approved payment methods as specified at the time of registration.

6. Refund policies apply as outlined in the following cancellation terms.

6.1. You have a right to cancel your registration within 14 days of receiving registration confirmation without providing any reason as per your statutory “cooling-off” period.

6.2. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected]

6.3. Written notice of cancellation must be received no later than 21 days before the course start date. With any less than 21 calendar days’ notice, no course fees can be refunded.

6.4. In some instances, due to circumstances beyond Mountview’s control, courses may need to be cancelled or postponed. If this happens, course fees will be reimbursed, however Mountview cannot be held responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the student. These may include purchase of equipment, the cost of airfares, hotels or any other expenses incurred by the student.

6.5. In the event of a course being cancelled once it has started, a relevant % of course fees will be refunded to cover any training not provided. If a student chooses to leave a course before its completion, full course fees will still apply.

7. Mountview reserves the right to make changes to course materials, schedule, instructors and venue if necessary. Any significant changes will be communicated to enrolled participants as soon as possible.

8. Participants are expected to attend all sessions. In the case of an unavoidable absence, participants must notify the relevant member of the Participation team in advance.

9. We request that any person who is feeling unwell takes responsibility for their health and shows consideration for the health of others by staying at home.

10. Participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and with kindness towards themselves, other participants and all staff. Mountview reserves the right to refuse admission and may request that a participant leaves a workshop or course, if it is deemed that their actions cause disruption, disturbance or threat to other people or damage to the building. In this case, no refunds will be provided.

11. Participants are expected to comply with all health and safety and relevant safeguarding guidelines set by the course provider and course instructors and facilitators.

12. All materials provided during the course are for personal use only and must not be distributed, reproduced or used for commercial purposes.

13. Mountview is not liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages to participants arising from course participation.

14. Mountview is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property during the course.

15. The personal data collected at registration is handled in accordance with GDPR.

16. Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and will endeavor to support all applicants. If you have any access requirements, please disclose them at the point of application.

17. To ensure all applicants can fully engage with course materials, training and discussions, applicants must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency at an appropriate level.

"Every single aspect [was useful] from warm-ups to fighting and acting techniques. The course provides a great training in stage combat and moreover boosts your confidence as an actor when performing.”

“[This course] exceeded my expectations.”

2025 Participants