Matt Bartlett

Matt Bartlett (born 14 April 1996) is an Welsh Actor, Dancer, Singer, and Musician, who is probably best known for his portrayal of Tony in the award winning Musical West Side Story, playing the role without an understudy in August 2013. He has worked extensively as a singer, actor, and dancer in musical theatre, playing Growltiger in the largest staged production of musical Cats.
Education
Matt initially started his training in the performing arts at Stagecoach Theatre Arts part time school at the age of four. He attended Barry Comprehensive school at the age of 14, to further his education both academically, and theatrically. Whilst continuing his training at Stagecoach, Matt is currently Bridgend College where he is studying an advanced BTEC course in Performing arts (Musical Theatre).
Matt plays many instruments to very high standards, and has gained many formal performing and music grades including:
*LAMDA Acting - Grade 8 Distinction
*Piano - Grade 8
*Violin - Grade 7
*Performing Arts - Grade 6 Distinction
*Cello - Grade 6
*Music Theory - Grade 5 Distinction
Career
Whilst attending Primary School, Matt re-launched the NYMT, by performing in a gala concert attended by Prince Edward and members of the Royal family. Matt opened by singing a solo written especially for him, and also performed numerous solos in the concert, and as a backing chorus of three for Matt Lucas. After being picked up as a performer by Jeremy James Taylor, later that year, Matt toured the UK with Jeremy to launch Disney's new set of children's musicals, Jungle book, where Bartlett played Mowgli, Cinderella and Aladdin.
Also whilst young, Matt joined the touring cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as cover Jeremy, and part of the child sewer gang in Bristol Hippodrome Theatre, and rejoined the cast a year later in Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre, this time playing the leader of the sewer gang, George.
Matt has appeared as cameo on episodes of the TV series of Doctors, Casualty, Being Human, Gwaith Catref and Wizards Vs Aliens. Matt also filmed for the short film Forever For Our Diamonds, playing a cameo role of 'The Husband'.
Matt is a student at Stagecoach Theatre Arts Bridgend and Cowbridge, and is well known and used by events and shows produced by Stagecoach head office in London. Having joined Stagecoach at the young age of four, Matt became involved with all aspects of the part time school quickly. In 2005, Matt auditioned for the worldwide 'Easystages' production, bringing 75 elite Stagecoach performers from around the globe to perform one show produced and publicized by Stagecoach in Leatherhead Theatre. His first production was as Hindley in an adaption of Wuthering Heights, called Gypsy Blood. For the next two years, Matt played in Annie, and also covered and played Oliver Twist in Lionel Bart's . In 2008, Matt successfully auditioned for Children Of Eden, but had to turn his place down, for he had already accepted his role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 2010, Matt successfully auditioned again, and played the role of Jamie in My Fair Lady, and in 2011 played the role of Lt. Wright in The Secret Garden Musical. In 2012, Matt played the role of Francis Fryer in the musical Calamity Jane, and was accredited for his outstanding performance as both the male and female roles of Fryer. In 2013, Matt was also successful in gaining a place at Easystages production of the world renowned musical, West Side Story. Matt was given the role of Tony for all shows, without an understudy, being the only lead role in the show not double cast. Whilst playing, Matt played to many influential names in Musical Theatre, and was praised for not faulting in the role as such a young performer of this role.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Stagecoach produced the largest production of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Cats, with Matt playing the role of Growltiger.
Matt is a part of Stagecoach Bridgend and Cowbridge's Performance Troupe, a group of 26 members who perform at various concerts and events. Matt is an original member, who sings solo and duet alongside Siwan Henderson and Verity Atkinson. Troupe perform at numerous events, and have performed at; Her Majesties Theatre London, Wales Millennium Centre, Swansea Grand Theatre, St. David's Hall, and other smaller venues and fetes. Matt is also part of the Stagecoach National Choir of Wales, who have performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall, and at Disneyland Paris resort, where Matt has soloed.
During his school and college years, Matt performed in many shows including- Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, West Side Story, Little Shop Of Horrors, Our House, and A Christmas Carol, taking lead roles in each production.
Personal life
Matt lives with his parents in the Vale Of Glamorgan. He spends any free time he has rehearsing his work, researching musicals or arranging music for choirs and performance. Matt has few friends, but he befriends those who share in his love and passion for music and musical theatre.
Theatre Credits
*West Side Story - Tony—Leatherhead Theatre
*Cats - Main Dancer & Growltiger—Birmingham National Indoor Arena
*Calamity Jane - Francis Fryer—Leatherhead Theatre
*Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - George -- Wales Millennium Centre
*' - Cover Oliver—Leatherhead Theatre
*Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Cover Jeremy & Edmund --Bristol Hippodrome
*Jungle Book - Mowgli—Glasgow Kings Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre
*Aladdin - Various Roles—Glasgow Kings Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre
*Cinderella - Various Roles—Glasgow Kings Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre
Other Theatre Credits
*Our House - Lewis
*Little Shop Of Horrors - Seymour
*Cinderella - Prince Charming
*A Christmas Carol - Young Scrooge
*Evita - Magaldi
*The Secret Garden - Lt. Wright
*West Side Story - Diesel & Cover Tony
*My Fair Lady - Jamie
*Jesus Christ Superstar - Simon Zealotes
*Annie - Various Roles
*Gypsy Blood - Hindley
Other
Matt is avidly involved in the technical side of theatre, including lighting, sound, setting, rigging, special effects and pyrotechnics. Matt works on many am dram, school and college productions, usually with lighting and special effects, but on one instance in Barry Comprehensive School, Matt worked on Sound, Lighting, Setting, Flying, Special effects, and all manners technical relating to the schools production of Miss Saigon. Although untrained, Matt holds extensive knowledge of modern lighting and control, having worked with intelligent lighting, LED, special effects, and high end lighting control on many occasions.

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