Easter Stage Combat Intensive 2026

Join us this Easter, from April 3rd to 6th, at the majestic Alexander Theatre in Helsinki for an inspiring and dynamic Stage Combat Intensive led by renowned Fight and Movement Director Kev McCurdy (UK). Over four days, participants will develop and perform a cohesive stage piece that integrates a variety of fight techniques tailored for different skill levels—ranging from newcomers to experienced actors and stunt performers.

This intensive workshop includes a minimum of 5 hours of dedicated training each day. Throughout the course, you'll learn essential stage fighting techniques and choreography, culminating in a live performance on the big stage. The final presentation will showcase how well-crafted stage combat can serve as a powerful storytelling tool, elevating theatrical productions.

Kev McCurdy is a fight director and choreographer, as well as a director, actor, and action performer. He is also the co-founder of The Academy of Performance Combat. With nearly three decades of experience teaching stage combat and over 22 years of professional fight choreography across theatre, film, and television, Kev’s expertise is unparalleled. You can find his professional bio below. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced performer, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to hone your stage combat skills, collaborate with fellow artists, and bring a captivating fight scene to life on the stage.

Please note: The workshop is limited in participant numbers to ensure personalized attention and maximum learning. Prices Early Bird offer until 28.2.2026 - members: 380€ - non-members: 460€ Normal prices starting from 1.3.2026 - members: 460€ - non-members: 520€ *Important! You should register and pay the full amount prior to 28.2. to be eligible for the Early Bird offer. In order to be eligible for the member discount you have to be a member of DCF, other NSFS National Organization, or APC. Pay to Dramatic Combat Finland's account FI82 6601 0001 0767 36 Reference number:  2 02727 ___________________

ABOUT KEV

https://angelosdesiste.wixsite.com/mysite Kev is an actor, theatre director and an Equity Registered Fight Director of 25 yrs, stage combat tutor of 35 yrs & co-founder of The Academy of Performance Combat. Kev teaches at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has been a guest instructor at universities in the UK, Oklahoma and Missouri plus workshops in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Australia. Theatre includes: Sister Act (UK tour, London Palladium & Dominion Theatre); Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre); Phantom of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre); Barbarians, Mandela, Hamlet, Nora- A Doll’s House, The Homecoming, Fairview, The Little Foxes (Young Vic); Jitney, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (World Premiere) (Old Vic); A Streetcar Named Desire, West Side Story, Billy Elliot (Curve Theatre); Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘em (UK tour); Moreno (Theatre 503); Nine Night (Leeds Playhouse); Gunpowder (Tower Of London / Layered Reality); Guardians of The Galaxy (Secret Cinema); Trouble In Butetown, The Fear Of 13 (Donmar Warehouse); Brokeback Mountain (Soho Place); The Wizard Of Oz (London Palladium / UK tour); The Beaux Strategem, The Muthafu**er With The Hat, Anthony And Cleopatra, Othello, Til The Stars Come Down, The Playboy Of The Western World (National Theatre); The Lightning Child, Eyam, The Duchess Of Malfi, Othello, Edward II, All’s Well That Ends Well, Romeo and Juliet, The Crucible (Shakespeare’s Globe); Tambo and Bones (Stratford East); Carrie The Musical, Julius Caesar (Richard Burton Theatre) Macbeth (Bristol Old Vic); Enemy Of The People (Duke Of York’s Theatre); Out Of Season (Hampstead Theatre); One Man Two Guvnors (Everyman Open Air Festival); An Officer And A Gentleman (UK tour); Player Kings (Noel Coward Theatre / UK tour); All About Eve (Noel Coward Theatre); The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre); Red Pitch (Bush Theatre / Soho Place); Wolves On Road (Bush Theatre); Romeo & Juliet & Brigadoon (Regents Park Open Air Theatre); Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Phoenix Theatre); O Island, Ivy Tiller-Squirrel Killer, The Box Of Delights, The Tempest, Cymbelline, Othello, The Buddha Of Suburbia, Hamlet Hail To The Thief, Edward II (RSC); Born With Teeth, All My Sons (Wyndham’s Theatre); The Hunger Games On Stage (Troubadour Canary Wharf / Runaway Entertainment / Lionsgate Films) Opera includes: Bajazet (Irish National Opera tour); Carmen, The Barber Of Seville (Garsington Opera); Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, Jenufa, Candide (Welsh National Opera); Jephta, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, Bajazet (Royal Opera House); Semele, Don Giovanni, Saul, Falstaff, Le Nozze di Figaro, Káta Kabanová, Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (Glyndebourne) Carmen (Waterperry Opera)

Film includes: Season Of The Witch, John Carter Of Mars, Protein, The Mill Killers, The Lady Of Heaven.

Television includes: Eastenders; Dr Who; The Pact S2; Hollyoaks; The A List S2; Until I Kill You; Pobol Y Cwm; Bariau S1 & 2; The Undisclosed War; Believe Me. Directing credits include: The Saliva Milkshake; The Glass Menagerie; Making Of A Motherer; Jekyll And Hyde The Musical; The Welsh Dragon; The Fight (world premiere) KEV'S SKILSET

Sport fencing: Gold

Proficiency and 5* awards in Foil and Sabre and also have practical knowledge of fighting with Epée.

Historical knowledge and practical application of various sword and companion weapons, (sword & dagger / cloak / buckler) / case of rapier (fighting with 2 swords) / broadsword and companion weapon (axe, shield) / single handed broadsword / Longsword / hand and a half broadsword / gladius & shield / Spear and shield / Quarterstaff fighting

Martial arts: 1st Dan in Tae-Kwon-Do with the International Tae-Kwon-Do Federation. Represented Wales and won various regional competitions in the UK and Holland.

Red belt (9 th Kyu) Shotokan Karate (Wolverhampton Shotokan Karate Dojo)

Kickboxing: 1st Dan under Black Belt Schools International 

Capoeira (Corda Azul - Blue Cord) with Beribazu International

Tai Chi Chuan (Trained under Master Richard Farmer)

Knife work: kills, stealth work, disablements, anatomy and psychology (mentored for 35 + yrs by ex CIA field black operative)

Close Quarter Fighting, bodyguard and door staff protection (Instructor Level under Specialist Training Authority) Boxing, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Wing Chun, Penchat Silat (all basic practical knowledge)

National Riflemans Association USA (Instructor level Basic pistol, rifle, shotgun) National Firearms Association Handgun & Tactical rifle training / Advanced Firearm & Skillset training under Firearm Training For TV and Film.