About Matthew
“Meanwhile, Matthew Swithinbank’s lighting contributes decisively to the smooth floating from past to present. It’s rare to come across a design able to delineate a show’s narrative on its very own, and his thorough work surely manages to do it.”
— Diana Miranda (for Land of Lost Content at The Pleasance Theatre)
“However it’s the lighting design of Matthew Swithinbank that brings the set to it’s fullest life. The battle scenes are a master of light and movement creating chilling shadows. The most poignant of scenes are sympathetically lit adding depth to the moments.”
— Jennifer Christie (for Brass at The Union Theatre)
“…the use of lighting is brilliant, particularly for showing the passage of time and delineating between sequences”
— Cassandra Griffin (for Kings at New Diorama Theatre)
“Matthew Swithinbank’s lighting is very well placed within the piece; it is atmospheric and manages to be wonderfully understated at times, but is also able to punctuate other moments within the piece that are quite powerful.”
— Amie Spudge Taylor (for Callisto at Arcola Theatre)
Matthew ‘Lux’ Swithinbank is a lighting technician and designer based in London, UK.
Growing up in Luxembourg Matthew took a keen interest in theatre, most notably during his time at the European School there. Whilst living in Luxembourg, Matthew designed the lighting for Jane Eyre at the Mierscher Kulturhaus and Abbaye de Neumunster, and The Devil His Due at FEATS 2011 in Geneva. In 2018, Matthew returned to Luxembourg to design a production of Picnic At Hanging Rock at the Abbaye Neumunster.
During his time studying at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts — from which he graduated with a Ba(Hons) in Technical Theatre in 2013 — Matthew started designing lights for fringe shows, including Palimpsest One at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate, and Dead Funny at The Old Red Lion in Islington. Since completing his degree, Matthew has worked on a multitude of productions, from plays to musicals, and even one national corporate event tour.
Although theatre lighting is his passion, Matthew also has extensive experience as a technician on live events, nightclubs and permanent installations.
In 2018, Matthew was nominated for an Off West End Award for his lighting on Brass.
At the end of March, 2023, Matthew took over as the technical manager at The Arcola Theatre in Dalston, London.
ALPD member #2501
Regular Tech Work
