Mark Matthews
B.A. (Theatre); Dip. Ed. (Drama); M.A. (Directing)
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104)
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-present.
Directing Credits Include:
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).
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
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"
All the Festivals
"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."
Quaker Meeting House
"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
Three Weeks
"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".
Sydney Morning Herald
"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".
Sunday Telegraph
"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".
Revolver Magazine
"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".
South Sydney Bulletin
"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".
Newtown Bridge
"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".
Sydney Morning Herald
"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".
Beat Magazine
"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".
The Daily Telegraph
"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".
Beat Magazine
"There is entertainment here (After Dinner) and honest acting
under director Mark Matthews".
The Australian Jewish News
"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".
The Drum Media
