University News Last updated 15 January
Visiting Tutor Matthew Sharp performed in two separate productions of Sweeney Todd in Germany and Sweden with less than 48 hours’ notice.
Visiting Tutor for Cello Matthew Sharp has performed worldwide as a solo cellist, baritone and actor, as well as being a director. Most recently, Matthew played last-minute live performances as Sweeney in Sweeney Todd productions for Theater Aachen in Germany and The Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm.
Based on his performance in a Sweeney Todd production at West Green House Opera in Hampshire in 2023, Matthew was contacted by Theater Aachen late one evening to see if he could play the role of Sweeney as their cast member had fallen ill.
Matthew accepted the challenge of this last-minute live performance just 36 hours later in Germany, with little time for rehearsals. Theater Aachen was so impressed with Matthew’s performance that the team wrote him a testimonial, which Matthew sent onto The Royal Swedish Opera, knowing that they had a production in the making.
As a result of the testimonial, The Royal Swedish Opera got in touch with Matthew asking him to jump in as Sweeney urgently. In just two days in December, Matthew went from being on holiday, straight into a rehearsal room and performing in a new production of Sweeney Todd.
Matthew’s performance led to two further performances as Sweeney with The Royal Swedish Opera earlier this month (January 2025), showing his readiness to seize opportunities and that, as a professional performer, he is always primed for the unexpected.
Matthew said: “People thought I must be mad, stupid or both to take it on, but it ended up being thrilling.”