Ian comes from a performance and martial art background.  Training at the Guildford school of acting gave him the oportunity to combine both passions and since 2001 he has been a practitioner of stage combat, training in 18th Century Smallsword, Rapier, Rapier & Dagger, Rapier & Buckler, Rapier & Gauntlet, Case of Rapiers, Broadsword (single handed, two handed and with shield), Quarterstaff, Knife and Unarmed Combat.  After attaining recommendations for all his examinations he was put forward into the British Academy of Dramatic Combat (BADC) teacher training programme and has subsequently joined the Academy of Performance Combat (APC) as one of their senior instructors and examiner.

He has worked at an array of drama schools and theatres throughout the UK and is currently in his 12th consecutive year as fight master at the Oxford School of Drama.

His is well reputed for his fight direction, regularly working at The Lyric, Belfast; The Watermill, Newbury and Theatre Royal Statford East. Other venues have included Birmingham Rep, Royal Opera House, Royal Court and Soho theatre.

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