Fight Consultancy FAQs

A fight director designs and rehearses every moment of physical conflict in a production, from a single slap to a full-scale brawl, so that it serves the story, convinces the audience and is safe for the performers to repeat.

Every production is different, so we’ll talk through your show first and then give you a quote.

A fight director designs and rehearses the fights that actors perform themselves (punches, slaps, grapples, falls) and shapes them around character and story. It’s the standard role in theatre and is common on screen too.

A stunt coordinator is a screen role. They oversee high-risk action such as car hits, high falls and fire work, usually performed by trained stunt performers.

On bigger screen projects the two often work side by side: the fight director builds the performance, and the stunt coordinator makes the high-risk moments possible.

Yes. The Fight Studio runs weekly hand-to-hand combat classes on Mondays at the New Actors Centre, Marylebone Theatre, and Thursdays at Rivals Boxing Gym, King’s Cross. See The Fight Studio.

We also offer 1:1 sessions with our award-winning fight director and martial arts coach Rupert Charmak.

Your first class is £15. After that you can pay as you go at £20 per class, or buy a 4-class pack for £65 to use over two months. See The Fight Studio.

Rupert works closely with the cast through rehearsals, building choreography that is safe and repeatable night after night, so actors can commit fully at every performance.

A fully detailed risk assessment will be completed for each project, when necessary.

Yes. We choreograph fights for film, TV and theatre. Rupert was Fight Director on The Effects of Lying for ITVX and Fight Director and Co-Director on Going for Gold at Park Theatre. On screen, every fight is built to hold up in the close-up and to be repeated safely take after take.

As early as possible, ideally in pre-production or before rehearsals begin. Getting involved early means fights can be planned into the rehearsal or shooting schedule, the set and costumes can be checked for safety, and the choreography can grow with the actors rather than being rushed at the end.

Absolutely. Many actors have never thrown a punch. Rupert builds the choreography around each performer’s ability and confidence, then rehearses it step by step until it is safe, convincing and second nature.

No. Classes are open to all levels. Whether you’ve never thrown a punch or you’re keeping your skills sharp between jobs, Rupert shapes each session so everyone leaves more confident and more capable.

Mondays, 6:30–8:30pm at the New Actors Centre, Marylebone Theatre (an annual New Actors Centre membership is required), and Thursdays, 6–8pm at Rivals Boxing Gym, King’s Cross. See The Fight Studio.

Fights, slaps, falls and any other physical conflict, whatever the scale. Rupert builds each moment around the characters, because how someone fights tells us who they are and what they want.

Yes, this is where Rupert’s background really shows. He brings real boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA experience, so bouts look authentic to people who know the sport, while staying safe and repeatable for the cast.

It depends on the length and complexity of the sequence and the experience of the cast. A single slap may need one short session, while an extended fight needs regular rehearsal and a fight call before each performance. We’ll recommend a realistic schedule when we discuss your production.

Yes. The Fight Consultancy is based in London, where we work with theatres and production companies, and we’re happy to talk about projects further afield. Arrange a call.

The Fight Consultancy is part of SuckerPunch Productions and is led by award-winning fight director Rupert Charmak.

Rupert has trained in combat sports since the age of eight, competing in boxing and kickboxing and later coaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. He trained as an actor at Mountview, so he understands fights from the performer’s side too. His fight direction on Going for Gold earned an Offie nomination for Best Movement and Choreography.

Each session blends real-world martial arts, including boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling and judo, with the stagecraft that makes a fight read to an audience or a camera: distance, timing, reactions and storytelling.

Theatre companies, directors and producers, as well as screen actors, theatre practitioners and production companies.

Yes. No job is too small. We help with everything from a single slap or fall in one scene to full-scale fight sequences across a whole production.

Yes. On Going for Gold at Park Theatre, the boxing bouts had to convince an audience sitting just feet from the ring, and be performed safely across the full run.

Tell us a little about the show and we’ll arrange a call to talk it through. Arrange a call.