ANDY KING
THIS DAY WE FIGHT!
FIGHT DIRECTOR
ACTOR COMBATANT
MY STORY
"Hello There,
I see you have decided to take a trip back in time to know a little more about myself and what made me the performer and choreographer I am today. I appreciate your interest and hope you enjoy the read."
In 2005 I had my first experience as an actor playing the lead role in my year 6 end-of-school play. Maybe because it was my first explains why I have always remembered his name, Jack. From there I went to Secondary School and became very interested in Drama. Eventually, this led me to perform in my first full-scale production, Pickwick, with Eldorado Musicals Society in a very small role as Joe, a young boy who liked to fall asleep a lot. It suited me perfectly!
Through that, I joined Hulviz Musical Society (Known then as Hulviz Operatic Society) which became my home for the next decade. Some notable moments included my first main role on a proper stage as 'Washington Otis' in "The Canterville Ghost" in 2009. My first villain and proudest role as 'Injun Joe' in "Tom Sawyer" in 2013 and our final production, "Thank you for the Music" in 2018 when Hulviz, unfortunately, closed down.
During this time I also attended North West Kent College (now North Kent College) in Dartford where I trained as an actor at The Miskin Theatre, which was full time working theatre as well as an educational establishment. It was here I honed much of my stagecraft and learned what it meant to live as a working actor. I also directed my first film, a horror called 'La Dama Blanca' as part of my training in Media Production. I graduated in 2012 with experience in Acting, Singing, Direction, Film-Making and Theatrical Production.
Miskin gave me my first taste of Stage Combat when I played 'The Bridegroom' in "Blood Wedding" but it wasn't until two years later, in "Tom Sawyer", that I got to choreograph a fight for the first time. As the lead villain, I was involved in the climactic confrontation with the titular hero. I choreographed and directed the scene which, luckily for me, was a huge success. Safe to say this was the moment I "caught the bug".
The next year's show gave me an even bigger opportunity when Hulviz put on "Peter Pan". Aside from playing Captain Hooks right-hand man, Smee, I also took on full fight direction responsibilities. This involved training and directing over thirty Actors (including children "AAAAH!") in group combat and the climactic battle between Hook and the titular hero. This was the first true test of my interest in stage combat and whilst it was a tough challenge, I only found myself becoming more attracted to it.
At the beginning of 2018, I started my formal training in stage combat and my world was changed. Instructed by True Edge Stage Combat in Woolwich, I trained both physically and mentally using many of the same techniques used by actual swordsmen and fighters for hundreds of years. Between the months of January and June, I trained in 9 different weapon systems at 3 different levels earning certification under the BADC (British Academy of Stage Combat). Since then I have also gained certification in Civilian and Police Stage Firearms, and military tactics including the incredibly important safety measures needed for use. My training continues to this day and I intend to go on to become an officially licensed teacher under the BADC in the years to come.