Mark Matthews
B.A. (Theatre); Dip. Ed. (Drama); M.A. (Directing)
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104)
This Mortal Coil (Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Seymour Centre); The Letter (Short and Sweet); King Lear (Seymour Centre); Ten Minutes (Short and Sweet); 4.48 Psychosis (Sydney Theatre School); Hidden Features (Short & Sweet); All's Well That Ends Well (Parade Studio, NIDA); Working - The Musical (St Patrick's College); A Midsummer Night's Dream, A View of Tomorrow, Twelfth Night & Taking Breath (Uxbridge College, London); A Midsummer Night's Dream (City Drama Studio); A Doll’s House (Sydney Art Theatre); Crystal’s Room (Stables Theatre); Measure for Measure (Shakespeare Festival Australia); Square One, The Actor’s Nightmare, The Wild Goose, The Big Funk and After Dinner (Pilgrim Theatre); No Flies on Santa and Doctor Flawless (Harold Park Hotel).
Theatre productions directed by Mark Matthews.
“This Mortal Coil is a dense, multi-faceted play…a daringly experimental piece best suited to those with a serious interest in contemporary theatre…thought-provoking drama with some fine performances by this group of up-and-comers”
"Strong acting based on an improvised theme is combined with wit, satire and a sensitive portrayal of strong emotion. If you see nothing else at this venue see this. It’s a gem from down under a truly innovative and thought provoking look at life from the other side."
"This Mortal Coil is a thought-provoking tale of seven different women from different decades and places who find themselves in a room with no exit. Their discussion of how the world differs between the times the women come from causes many amusing moments, and although the moral of finding one's own path in life is somewhat simplistic, the method of arriving at it is what makes the play a pleasure to watch, alongside the mature acting skills of these promising young actresses." Three Weeks Rating 4/5
“Mark Matthews’ production (A Doll’s House) for Sydney Art Theatre has many strengths. It is set in the period, but stripped of fuss...This is an excellent production for school audiences as well as those who have already cottoned on to Sydney Art Theatre’s European style and low-priced high standards...The clarity of the interpretation here is of particular note”.
"Director Mark Matthews and designer Bogdan Koca have made Ibsen’s classic as shocking, fresh and relevant as it ever was and, with great performances....it makes for a great evening’s theatre”.
“This production, directed by Mark Matthews, recognises not only the tragedy of Nora’s plight but also the humour of her situation...Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is an important work and this production is one of the few I’ve seen to do it justice”.
“Matthews’ direction strikes all the right notes as Ibsen’s story unfolds...Go see! One scene of A Doll’s House has more dramatic force than some complete plays that are currently running in Sydney at the moment”.
“Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (directed by Mark Matthews) is a first rate piece of theatre by any standard...The acting by the entire cast is superb, as are the directing and designs”. The Australian Jewish News
“This is a most exciting production of a difficult play (Measure for Measure). Under the direction of Mark Matthews, the play was performed with great power and passion by all concerned in what was ultimately a thought-provoking production”.
“Mark Matthews, who directs (Crystal’s Room) and his actors are inspired by the group-devised work of British director Mike Leigh...like Leigh, the trio of authors has created characters and dialogue with the ring of depressing authenticity”.
"Director Mark Matthews had a hand in devising the piece (Crystal’s Room), and this shows in his directing, which is thoughtful and compelling, maintaining the action of the play at a rolling boil until it reaches its climax”.
“It’s a great production (The Big Funk) with everything a day can bring - humour, shock, happiness and sadness. The cast is directed with a sure hand by Mark Matthews”.
“Director Mark Matthews and the performers...do a wonderful job of creating conflict, hysteria, drama and witty exchanges in a piece (After Dinner) that is extremely funny”.
“There is entertainment here (After Dinner) and honest acting under director Mark Matthews”.
“Congratulations are due to writer / director / performer Mark Matthews for having conceived and executed this flawlessly irreverent farce (Doctor Flawless). I urge you to see this show and to take your friends too - you won’t regret it. It’s dynamite”.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Western Sydney - Theatre Nepean's Bachelor of Arts (Theatre), Graduate Diploma of Education (Drama) and Master of Arts (Directing) degree courses. He was Artistic Director of the Pilgrim Theatre in Sydney from 1995-1998; an Affiliate Director with the Sydney Theatre Company and General Manager of Sydney Art Theatre in 1998; Co-Director of City Drama Studio Pty Ltd. from 1998-2001; Lecturer in Drama at Uxbridge College, London in 2002-2003 and Director of actor's agency Sydney Creative Management from 2006-2009.
Directing Credits Include:
Acting credits include: Macbeth (New Theatre); Supper for Four Hands (Sydney Art Theatre); The Actor’s Nightmare (Pilgrim Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth & Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare Where You Like It); Police Rescue; Home and Away; Cody; The Sum of Us & Australia's Most Wanted as well as a range of television commercials.
Reviews
All the Festivals
Quaker Meeting House
Three Weeks
Sydney Morning Herald
Sunday Telegraph
Revolver Magazine
South Sydney Bulletin
Newtown Bridge
Sydney Morning Herald
Beat Magazine
The Daily Telegraph
Beat Magazine
The Australian Jewish News
The Drum Media
