Award Winning Fight Choreography by Michael Hagins
Taking a break from the usual summer tourning season, Hudson Shakespeare directed and co-produced an exciting entry in NYC's "Midtown International Theater Festival" - The Sword Politik by long time company member Jon Crefeld. "The Sword Politik" tells the story of Nina, the Baroness of Schleiss, recently crowned after the mysterious death of her father nicknamed the Old Lion. The death of the Old Lion leaves a power vaccum as to who will take his place, his nephew Dirk, his old enemy Baron Otto von Brochol, Baron Max Murligstein or Nina's old boyfriend, Ulrich, head Brochol's armies. Baron von Brochol is suscipious of where Ulrich's loyalites lie and has him framed for murder causing him to flee. Nina, wanting to show herself the true heir her father's leagacy bands with her cousin Dirk to show that the Baron von Brochol is mounting a campaign to invade her territory and gobble up the surrounding powers. Max von Murligstein, Ulrich's old teacher, sneaks into Von Brochol's territory to spy on his amassing forces. Ulrich and his friends all meet and band together to fight Brochol. The armies clash but what looks like a victory on Ulrich and Nina's part is only a stalemate and part of Von Brochol's master plan to take over the whole country. As Nina and Ulrich prepare to marry, Max revals that her father was not the loyal subject that everyone remembers but an ally of Brochol's. Nina is captured by Brochol and he reveals the truth. Shifting political intrigues mix together with a Princess Bride style comedy in an energizing adventure romp.
Stylized representation of the story: Top left Billy Weimer as Otto von Brochol holding a subtle knife to all of the characters' throats. Top Right, Patrick Long as Dirk von Schleiss, the ever dutiful but disregarded son of the Old Lion. Bottom left Jon Crefeld as the noble Ulrich Nachtenzeit fighting for honor among dishonorable men. Kerry Fitzgibbons as Nina von Schleiss seeking to defend her new Barony and what she thinks is her noble father's legacy. Finally, Paul Bellantoni as Max von Murligstein, Ulrich's old teacher and keeper of many secrets.
Nina (Kerry Fitzgibbons) mourns at the grave of her father, the Old Lion. Nina remembers him as a man among men who was loyal to their Duke. Little does she know that in her quest to protect his country and legacy she is protecting a traitor and a man not unlike her enemy the Baron von Brochol.
Dirk (Patrick Long) at the funeral for the Old Lion. Legally, Dirk is the Old Lion's nephew but truly he is his illegitimate son. Always undervalued, Dirk seeks a way to fight his enemies Baron von Brochol (Billy Weimer, left) and his henchman, the Blackguard (Ryan McCabe) to show the world he is truly the Old Lion's heir.
Despite years of loyal service, Von Brochol (Billy Weimer) accuses Ulrich (Jon Crefeld) of supporting his old girlfriend Nina. Von Brochol decides to dispose of a potential traitor and has Ulrich framed for murder.
Ulrich (Jon Crefeld), now on the run from Brochol finds himself alone and separated from the man who he swore allegiance to and the woman he loves.
Von Brochol (Billy Weimer) plans for an attack with his henchman the Blackguard (Ryan McCabe) by Nina's and Max's forces. While his army is strong he truly wants to crush the spirit of Nina by showing her that her father's legacy is nothing but a lie and nothing is always what it appears.
With Ulrich's help, the forces of Schliess and Murligstein face off with Von Brochol's forces and appear to defeat them. As Ulrich and Nina prepare to marry Max (Paul Bellantoni) arrives to tell Nina that her father was actually planning to overthrow the Duke by building a fortress at a ruined abby. Ulrich (Jon Crefeld) follows them there and finds out the truth. Here he fights his former friend.
In the show's climatic scene, Nina is captured by von Brochol and taken to a mountain camp. Max, Ulrich and Dirk attempt to rescue her but are captured by Brochol's allies Count Hugh (Sharon Hunter) and Colonel Drogo (Bethany James).
Von Brochol plays one side against the other as he reveals that Dirk (Patrick Long) is really the Old Lion's son. In a rage Dirk grabs and sword and faces down Ulrich (Jon Crefeld) who pleads him not to be taken in by Von Brochol. Dirk fights with the Blackgard and is killed.
To avoid anymore innocent bloodshed, Max (Paul Bellantoni) grabs Nina (Kerry Fitzgiboons) and agrees to fight the Blackgard in exchange for their freedom while Count Hugh (Sharon Hunter) keeps them on guard.
Von Brochol agrees to Max's challenge although he has no intention of letting them go. Here Max (Paul Bellantoni) fights off the younger but less experience Blackgard (Ryan McCabe) and kills him.
Von Brochol tries to kill Nina (Kerry Fitzgibbons) but as they struggle, Nina turns his own dagger on him. Nina and Ulrich (Jon Crefeld) finally unitl as the new Baron and Baroness of Schleiss.
