PRACTITIONERS
‘Master At Arms’ is built around the experiences and values of its members. Here you can learn more about them:
Keith Wallis
Keith has been working as a fight director for over a decade, offering professional fight choreography for numerous theatres and production companies across the UK, as well as providing tuition in stage combat for some of Britain’s most prestigious acting schools and institutions.
His career began back in 2007 when he ran a series of workshops for the National Youth Theatre, this was then followed by his first choreography credit as assistant fight director for the stage play Sons of York at the Finborough Theatre, directed by Kate Wasserberg. Since then he has gone on to choreograph fights and action sequences for a wide range of different projects. He currently splits his time between regular teaching at Italia Conti and various choreography projects. His lifelong passion and interest in Medieval weapons and warfare has also led to his running a series of regular talks and lectures on the subject at Norwich castle.
Recent work includes choreography for the BAFTA nominated feature Lady Macbeth, as well as projects with Park Theatre, English National Opera, Royal College of Music, Southwark Playhouse, Garsington Opera, Royal & Derngate, The Pleasance and Trinity Laban Conservatoire
Joe Golby
With a decade of professional experience Joe is a highly accomplished fight coordinator and choreographer. Joe’s CV boasts several critically acclaimed feature films spanning many genres. Meanwhile his TV work has seen himself and his work appear on the BBC (Strictly Come Dancing), ITV, Channel 4 as well as cable channels Discovery, History and National Geographic where he specialises in recreations of violence from ancient history (Crusaders: Back from the Dead) to modern day murders (My Online Nightmare).
Other screen work includes commercials for high street brands (Footlocker, Sainsbury’s) and music videos for chart topping groups (The 1975). Early to embrace online platforms his work for leading YouTube channels and personalities (New Form Digital, TomSka) have over 100 million views. Live credits include West End theatre and shows which have gone on to tour Europe.
Using this experience and knowledge Joe teaches stage combat to aspiring actors in training and has introduced fighting on film to students at leading UK film schools (NFTS, Central Film School, MET Film School). He has been interviewed in print and on television in both the UK and US as well as being nominated for several awards for his work over the years.
Joe currently divides his time between choreographing for individual projects, performing and teaching.
DJ Johnson
Dan (DJ) works as a fight choreographer, action arranger, and stunt coordinator; developing theatrical and filmic violence and action for productions, theatre, and educational bodies around the UK and Europe. DJ has worked on projects for the likes of BBC, Lyric Hammersmith, Channel 4, Southwark Playhouse, Ealing Studios, The Marlowe Theatre, and many more – as well as teaching at such institutes as Drama Centre London (Central Saint Martins), East 15 Acting School, Drama Studio London, and currently as the resident Stunt / Fight Coordinator and Action Specialist for the National Film and Television School (NFTS).
DJ has expertise in a range of weapon systems, including a background in Aikido and Krav Maga (as well as being a qualified Self Defence Instructor). He also has experience in breakaways, wirework, falls, and firearms training.
Vast experience, training, and many qualifications enables DJ to develop more dynamic and holistic violence for stage and screen – moulding physical scores that connect with the actor/character and moving the scene to a more resonant and visceral level. Above all else, he strives to keep actors safe at all times and maintain an open dialogue between performers and directors.
Alongside choreographing violence and action sequences; DJ also focuses on fitness, partner work/connection (incl. Acrobalance), spatial awareness, physical storytelling, general performer safety and physical actor training.
Joshua Plummer
Joshua is a Sussex based professional actor, stage combatant, fight co-ordinator and tutor with over a decade of experience.
His television credits include projects with BBC, Netflix, and National Geographic. For live performance; he has choreographed fight sequences for Theatre Royal Windsor, Arts Theatre, The Brighton Shakespeare Company, and The Hawth Theatre.
He is the Stage Combat Tutor at The Brighton Academy (TBA); a school that offers a comprehensive performing arts and musical theatre curriculum at degree, foundation, and postgraduate levels, with a 100% West End Agent success rate. Since 2018, Joshua has been offering their students his expertise and tuition in systems such as Unarmed, Knife, Sword & Shield and Fighting on Camera.
Joshua also works closely with the Institute of Contemporary Theatre (ICT) and has also hosted workshops for the likes of Middleweek Newton, Helen O’Grady, Drama Hub, and Apollo Theatre Arts.
An East 15 alumnus (BA (Hons) Acting & Stage Combat) and Full Equity Member – influenced in performative combat by slapstick comedy and professional wrestling.
Lucy Wordsworth
Since graduating from East 15 Acting School, with a First Class Honours degree in BA Acting & Stage Combat, Lucy splits her time between Acting, Fight/Action Performing, Fight Directing/Co-Ordinating, and Teaching.
A highly physical performer with extensive previous training in Dance, Musical Theatre and Physical Movement, Lucy integrates these skills with a strong emphasis on Storytelling, and has gone on to work for companies including Box Clever Theatre, Stink Films, Marvel Studios, HBO, and Netflix.
When not being thrown about, set on fire or swinging a sword around, Lucy can be found Fight Directing/Choreographing for Film and Theatre; some recent credits include Poltergeist Theatre’s Offie-nominated production of “Alice In Wonderland” in association with Brixton House Theatre, “Don’t Smoke In Bed” for the VAULT Festival – and numerous projects for Met Film School, Ginger Whisker Production House, Fusion Media House, and many other independent companies.
A firm believer that these skills should be made accessible to those who wish to learn them, Lucy regularly teaches and leads Stage/Screen Combat workshops for youth focused theatre companies including Zoo Co Theatre, Full House Theatre, West End On Demand and Good Wolf People, and has assisted workshops for Box Clever Theatre and classes for Master At Arms.
Francesca Mansfield
Francesca has worked as an actress, fight performer and fight choreographer across Europe since she graduated from East 15’s rigorous ‘Acting & Stage Combat’ BA course in 2014.
She has performed across Italy, fought in feature films, and choreographed largely for stage shows.
Fran has extensive experience in working with children and teenagers, as well as adults – namely having worked on shows for Trinity Youth Theatre in Tunbridge Wells whilst juggling her role working with Primary students at her local school.
Whether it’s school plays, theatre shows or a newlyweds’ first dance whilst armed with Smallswords – Francesca’s engaging and approachable nature makes her an asset to any team – especially one that works in the world of violence and stunts!
Dr Chris Main
(Honorary Patron)
Chris Main holds an MA in Theatre Practice and a PhD in Elizabethan/Jacobean Theatre from Exeter University. He is a Certified Teacher of stage combat with the BASSC, a fight examiner for Stage Combat Germany and holds a black belt in Aikido. Chris has worked for many theatre companies including: the Orange Tree, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Crucible Theatre, Graeae, The Northcott, and the BBC.
Alongside Nick Hall, Chris co-wrote and established the East 15 BA Honours ‘Acting & Stage Combat’ course, the only stage combat focused degree program in the world.
Directing work includes numerous productions for the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London and East 15. Meanwhile his film & TV work includes several fight choreographer, assistant choreographer and performer credits.