A large majority of audience have ideas of what violence should look like based on what they have seen in movies or on television. Not many have been in a real fight, at least as an adult over something more important than a toy (although that toy probably meant everything back then...)
This presents a challenge as a choreographer and fighter.
There are many reasons why we don't produce "real" fights onstage or in film. Most important is safety, but beyond that real fights are pretty quick and often brutal. We are working to tell a story and progress a play. Often the play will move on with little effect from the violence. In reality, a violent encounter can, and often does, alter the course of your life.
If things look too real it also makes the audience uncomfortable. We like to watch real fights as long as we believe the danger is not life threatening, sometimes we even instigate and root it on. The moment it turns serious and someone is in real danger of injury or death, we try in stop things or turn away. In most situations onstage the stakes are way too high for someone to not realistically get hurt. We tone it back, however, to keep the audience engaged (and because the playwright gave the characters a monologue after the fight.)
So how do we make the fights more "realistic" without disturbing the audience and derailing the story?
I think that allowing the effects of the violence to seep into and color the rest of the play is one way. It is a question that can help stage violence keep pace with film and the audiences need for more, faster, better. If we give them something with more meaning, depth, and purpose they will be satiated far longer.
Something to think about...
Greg
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