DIRECTOR'S BIOGRAPHY

MARK MATTHEWS
Director
B.A. (Theatre), Dip. Ed. (Drama), M.A. (Directing).

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 and Lecturer in Drama at Uxbridge College, London in 2002-2003.

Directing credits include: "Working - The Musical" (St Patrick's College); "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "A View of Tomorrow", "Twelfth Night" and "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); "All's Well That Ends Well" (Sydney Theatre School).

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" and "Australia’s Most Wanted", as well as a range of television commercials.

NEWSPAPER REVIEWS
Theatre productions directed by Mark Matthews.

“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