At STAGEFIGHT we aim to improve  the standards of safety, performance  and quality of performance combat  throughout the industry.  We believe  in continual improvement and that  no one person can be the ‘font of  all knowledge’. When STAGEFIGHT students competed  internationally in medieval festivals and  tournaments, it quickly became obvious that  the standard stage combat techniques,  traditionally taught in the UK for  various weapon systems were not  historically accurate enough.  With  modern theatre, film and television  audiences demanding higher levels  of realism and historical accuracy  we began to research and study the  techniques of the historical masters. Obviously there is a considerable difference between the techniques of stage combat and the methodology of historical combat manuals.  Where stage combat emphasises safety above all, the techniques from history are designed to injure, maim and/or kill an opponent as quickly and efficiently as possible.  At STAGEFIGHT we actively research the historical fight manuals and adapt the techniques to develop a performance combat equivalent that attempt to remain true to history, but ensures the highest levels of safety to practitioners. This is a time consuming, but very rewarding experience.  Many of STAGEFIGHT’s students enjoy the research and development aspect of our work and have competed successfully at international tournaments.  All students with STAGEFIGHT are invited to join-in with our research and development  programme.