Matt Kinley

Matt began his career working extensively as a freelance costume and prop-maker for stage, film and video at Robert Allsopp Associates before returning to study and subsequently graduate from the Motley theatre design course in 1994. During the 90's he worked at the National Theatre, London, as designer, design associate and draughtsman on over 40 productions, including Jerry Springer – The Opera, The Coast of Utopia and My Fair Lady. Since leaving the National Theatre he has worked in commercial theatre as an associate designer on many shows including The Woman in White, My Fair Lady (UK and USA tours), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour), Les Miserables (Broadway and Holland), Equus (West End). As part of a long working partnership with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, Matt initially adapted the original staging for the new version of Mary Poppins which has toured internationally since its inception in 2007. In 2009 he was invited to redesign Les Miserables for its 25th Anniversary production as a UK Tour. The success of the new production has seen subsequent productions across the world and recently opened in March 2014 on Broadway. Matt also designed the 25th Anniversary concert for the show at London's O2 Arena in 2010. As part of the Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary celebrations, Matt designed the fully staged concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011. In 2013, after the recent death of the Adrian Vaux, Matt was invited to work with Totie Driver as a co-designer and redevelop Miss Saigon ahead of its London revival at the Prince Edward Theatre. The show's success has recently seen it awarded with Best Set Design at the What’s On Stage Awards in 2015. Matt continues to design for a variety of productions and events both abroad and in the UK, having recently completed a two part Phantom prequel in Tokyo, the London premiere of Jerry Herman's Dear World and The Man of La Mancha and Chaplin in Sao Paulo, Broadway to the Bay at the WMC and Oliver! for Leicester Curve Theatre. He is currently reworking 'Chaplin' for it’s European premiere this Christmas.