MEET THE
TEAM
Jay McCabe
After studying Latin American dance and Tae Kwon Do, Jay decided to study toward a performance art degree at King Alfreds College, Winchester. It was there that he found a love for improvising and devising. After graduating he fell into work quite quickly, starting as a lead vocalist for Warner Hotels entertainments team. Then on to educational shows and pantomimes where Jay got to play various roles from ones like Fagin in Oliver! to Gaston in Beauty & The Beast. Years later he discovered a love of scare acting, working in attractions at Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle, the latter working with Sir Lewis (or as he was known then... Lewis) - in Warwick Castles Ghosts Alive! show. He then continued to work with the Sudden Impact Entertainment Company, for a few more years as a manager for The Mummy at La Ronde Montréal then to Scream Park, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Returning home fate would intervene and a catch up with Lewis would lead Jay to meeting Sir Mark. Jay was then part of the have-a-go archery team back at Warwick Castle alongside Lewis, before shortly graduating to the Warwick Warriors team. Most recently Jay spearheaded the Tournament of the Knights Event. “It’s been a pleasure to work for Dressed to Kill and for as long as possible I will continue to be a part of the ever growing team of like minded and talented people.”
After studying Latin American dance and Tae Kwon Do, Jay decided to study toward a performance art degree at King Alfreds College, Winchester. It was there that he found a love for improvising and devising. After graduating he fell into work quite quickly, starting as a lead vocalist for Warner Hotels entertainments team. Then on to educational shows and pantomimes where Jay got to play various roles from ones like Fagin in Oliver! to Gaston in Beauty & The Beast. Years later he discovered a love of scare acting, working in attractions at Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle, the latter working with Sir Lewis (or as he was known then... Lewis) - in Warwick Castles Ghosts Alive! show. He then continued to work with the Sudden Impact Entertainment Company, for a few more years as a manager for The Mummy at La Ronde Montréal then to Scream Park, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Returning home fate would intervene and a catch up with Lewis would lead Jay to meeting Sir Mark. Jay was then part of the have-a-go archery team back at Warwick Castle alongside Lewis, before shortly graduating to the Warwick Warriors team. Most recently Jay spearheaded the Tournament of the Knights Event. “It’s been a pleasure to work for Dressed to Kill and for as long as possible I will continue to be a part of the ever growing team of like minded and talented people.”
Mark Taylor
Mark has been making armour as a hobby since a teenager. After a serious illness he decided to “go for it !” And turned professional, launching
Dressed to Kill in 1991. Turning his life long interest into a living.
Mark has been associated with Warwick Castle for 25 years firstly as Armourer
and for The last 20 years also providing combat shows and team building experiences.
It was at Warwick he met Lewis Copson and Jay McCabe who have brought their own unique skills into the company.
We now have a large team of professionals working across all aspects of the business.
From these beginnings Dressed to kill has grown into a leading provider of Arms Armour and entertainment in the UK.
Mark has been making armour as a hobby since a teenager. After a serious illness he decided to “go for it !” And turned professional, launching
Dressed to Kill in 1991. Turning his life long interest into a living.
Mark has been associated with Warwick Castle for 25 years firstly as Armourer
and for The last 20 years also providing combat shows and team building experiences.
It was at Warwick he met Lewis Copson and Jay McCabe who have brought their own unique skills into the company.
We now have a large team of professionals working across all aspects of the business.
From these beginnings Dressed to kill has grown into a leading provider of Arms Armour and entertainment in the UK.
Lewis Copson
Warwick born Lewis made his first steps into the acting world at school, leading on to 3 years studying performing arts at Stratford upon Avon College. He joined Bear & Ragged Theatre performing in back to back plays, Marisol and Edward II, for the 2001 Edinburgh Festival, which firmed his love for live performance. But film became his calling. A year after college Lewis started his professional career in British independent cinema, working on four consecutive feature films in 2003 and early 2004. He would later work as film director and producer. Working with movie producer friend Dominic Burns and appear alongside screen legend Mark Hamill.
With all of the stop start of acting in front of the camera, Lewis craved live performance once again. He join the cast of Warwick Ghosts Alive! in 2005 at his native Warwick Castle. This would be the start of a long lasting relationship with the historical fortress. This was where Lewis would form a friendship with fellow cast member Jay, carving a path for the future.
“I met Mark, the warrior.....dressed as Santa Claus! I was his elf for Christmas 2007. We got on so well he offered me a job teaching sword fighting. I jumped at the chance.” This lead to Lewis co-running Marks have-a-go archery at Warwick Castle. Craving for performance kicked in again and before he knew it Lewis was shooting as one of Warwick's Bowmen and a fighting Knight in Warwick Warriors. Lewis is balancing time with Dressed To Kill and as a photographer/filmmaker. Bringing those worlds together is his plan for the future.
Warwick born Lewis made his first steps into the acting world at school, leading on to 3 years studying performing arts at Stratford upon Avon College. He joined Bear & Ragged Theatre performing in back to back plays, Marisol and Edward II, for the 2001 Edinburgh Festival, which firmed his love for live performance. But film became his calling. A year after college Lewis started his professional career in British independent cinema, working on four consecutive feature films in 2003 and early 2004. He would later work as film director and producer. Working with movie producer friend Dominic Burns and appear alongside screen legend Mark Hamill.
With all of the stop start of acting in front of the camera, Lewis craved live performance once again. He join the cast of Warwick Ghosts Alive! in 2005 at his native Warwick Castle. This would be the start of a long lasting relationship with the historical fortress. This was where Lewis would form a friendship with fellow cast member Jay, carving a path for the future.
“I met Mark, the warrior.....dressed as Santa Claus! I was his elf for Christmas 2007. We got on so well he offered me a job teaching sword fighting. I jumped at the chance.” This lead to Lewis co-running Marks have-a-go archery at Warwick Castle. Craving for performance kicked in again and before he knew it Lewis was shooting as one of Warwick's Bowmen and a fighting Knight in Warwick Warriors. Lewis is balancing time with Dressed To Kill and as a photographer/filmmaker. Bringing those worlds together is his plan for the future.
Chris began working at Warwick Castle on a seasonal contract as an actor while he was completing an undergraduate degree in drama. He also spent some years as a musician, landing record contracts with two separate bands as bass player for The Fall, The Rise and Bovine. He as also played at many memorable venues and festivals such as 2000 Trees and Download Festival. In 2016 he was approached by Dressed to Kill to join the company by taking part in the evening entertainment at the Knights Village accommodation at Warwick Castle. Since then he has had the opportunity to perform in numerous events all across the country. Working as a part of Dressed to Kill Chris also assists with choreography and product development. Last year Chris made his debut as a writer at Brighton Fringe where his play Black Peter was shortlisted for the best new writing award. Chris is currently studying an MA in playwriting at Royal Holloway London alongside being a Knight.
Chris began working at Warwick Castle on a seasonal contract as an actor while he was completing an undergraduate degree in drama. He also spent some years as a musician, landing record contracts with two separate bands as bass player for The Fall, The Rise and Bovine. He as also played at many memorable venues and festivals such as 2000 Trees and Download Festival. In 2016 he was approached by Dressed to Kill to join the company by taking part in the evening entertainment at the Knights Village accommodation at Warwick Castle. Since then he has had the opportunity to perform in numerous events all across the country. Working as a part of Dressed to Kill Chris also assists with choreography and product development. Last year Chris made his debut as a writer at Brighton Fringe where his play Black Peter was shortlisted for the best new writing award. Chris is currently studying an MA in playwriting at Royal Holloway London alongside being a Knight.
Christopher Schaunig
Kelly Hale
Kelly has been performing since she was about 3 starting with ballet and tap lessons. In 2008 Kelly graduated from Birmingham Theatre school gaining a HND in theatre acting. Since then she has performed in various shows ranging from TIE and kids pirate shows to serious Shakespeare plays.
“Stage combat was always a big part of my training and something that I have always loved so it was an honour to be approached by Dressed to Kill to become their first female knight!
We have the best team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds”
Kelly has been performing since she was about 3 starting with ballet and tap lessons. In 2008 Kelly graduated from Birmingham Theatre school gaining a HND in theatre acting. Since then she has performed in various shows ranging from TIE and kids pirate shows to serious Shakespeare plays.
“Stage combat was always a big part of my training and something that I have always loved so it was an honour to be approached by Dressed to Kill to become their first female knight!
We have the best team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds”.
Kelly Hale
Philip Williams
Philip started performing from a young age with the Scouts Gang Shows. Then honed his performance skills at the Stoke on Trent Young Rep Theatre. After Phil finished his degree in theatre and performance he travelled around New Zealand for a year. When Following his return to the UK he worked with a few different theatre companies, touring shows from Shakespeare to panto. He then moved to the south coast and took a break from performing for a few years before joining the cast at the dungeon at Warwick Castle in 2009. It was here he met Mark, Lewis and Jay, the Warwick Warriors. In 2012 Phil became Sir Philip and joined Dressed To Kill. “From then on I have never looked back. I have learnt more about history and fight shows then I ever thought I would have. I know get to combine my love for performing and passion for history together witch is incredible.”
Philip started performing from a young age with the Scouts Gang Shows. Then honed his performance skills at the Stoke on Trent Young Rep Theatre. After Phil finished his degree in theatre and performance he travelled around New Zealand for a year. When Following his return to the UK he worked with a few different theatre companies, touring shows from Shakespeare to panto. He then moved to the south coast and took a break from performing for a few years before joining the cast at the dungeon at Warwick Castle in 2009. It was here he met Mark, Lewis and Jay, the Warwick Warriors. In 2012 Phil became Sir Philip and joined Dressed To Kill. “From then on I have never looked back. I have learnt more about history and fight shows then I ever thought I would have. I know get to combine my love for performing and passion for history together witch is incredible.”
Philip Williams
James Tanton
From an early age James loved performing, spending many a day swanning around the nursery dressed as Robin Hood, so much so that the teachers thought there was something wrong with him! Although at the time he never saw it as a career he has been acting professionally since 2010. In 2011 James moved from Yorkshire to Warwick and began working in the Dungeons at Warwick Castle where he first met Mark, Jay and Lewis.
“I was lucky enough to be asked to join Dressed to Kill in 2018 and have loved ever minute of it, it is still an amazing feeling being able to put on armour and hit your mates with a sword for a living!”
When he isn’t walking around as a knight he is also co-managing theatre director of the National Production Company. So life is never boring!
From an early age James loved performing, spending many a day swanning around the nursery dressed as Robin Hood, so much so that the teachers thought there was something wrong with him! Although at the time he never saw it as a career he has been acting professionally since 2010. In 2011 James moved from Yorkshire to Warwick and began working in the Dungeons at Warwick Castle where he first met Mark, Jay and Lewis.
“I was lucky enough to be asked to join Dressed to Kill in 2018 and have loved ever minute of it, it is still an amazing feeling being able to put on armour and hit your mates with a sword for a living!”
When he isn’t walking around as a knight he is also co-managing theatre director of the National Production Company. So life is never boring!
James Tanton
Samuel Wall
