Max Cauthorn and Daniel Deivison-Oliveira in Tomasson's Romeo & Juliet // © Erik Tomasson

On Sword Fighting, Fencing, and Performing in “Romeo & Juliet”

Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet is part of San Francisco Ballet’s 2023 Repertory Season.

It will be performed in Program 7, from Apr 21–Apr 30, 2023.

In a podcast ferry riders are certain to enjoy,  the company’s fight Director Martino (Marty) Pistone describes the creation of the duels and other stage combat in the production

He discusses the styles of fencing and the weapons used, as well as the process of teaching dancers the fight choreography.

He also discusses working with the dancers for the crowd scenes during the fights, and his performing role as the Prince of Verona.

“Stage theater and combat training…striking the target with fencing foot work, is key to what I do,” he says in this interview. “I teach dancers to Act the Fight…endow it with passion. Otherwise, it means nothing. Furthermore, Romeo’s role as Prince of Verona is done by pantomime…the oldest style of acting. And every ballet is really a silent movie.”

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