Arthur Mathews (writer)

"Arthur Mathews" (born "c."1959 in County Meath, Ireland) is an Irish comedy writer who, often with writing partner Graham Linehan, has either written or contributed to a number of popular television comedies, most notably "Father Ted". He is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Previously, he attended Castleknock College, a private school run by Vincentian priests.

Writing career

Television

Mathews has contributed to many sketch shows, including "Harry Enfield and Chums", "The All New Alexei Sayle Show" and, notably, the "Ted & Ralph" segments of "The Fast Show".

However, it was with "Father Ted" (3 series, 1995-1998) that Linehan and Mathews made their biggest impression. [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/newsfeatures/1996/0425/archive.96042500102.html Review of "Father Ted"] Mary Cummins, "Irish Times", 25 April 1996 ] [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/1998/0502/archive.98050200230.html Life After Ted] Deirdre Falvey, "Irish Times", 2 May 1998 ] [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0121/ted.html Aran Islands in Father Ted Row] RTE News, 21 January 2007 ]

Both Linehan and Mathews worked on the first series of sketch show "Big Train", but Linehan dropped out for the second series. Mathews has also had a hand in other respected British comedies such as "Brass Eye", "Jam" amd "Black Books".

In 1999 Linehan and Mathews created the sixties-set sitcom "Hippies", but the six-part series (which starred Simon Pegg and Sally Phillips) was written by Mathews alone. [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/1999/1106/archive.99110600200.html Peace and Love, Man] Review of "Hippies", "Irish Times", 6 November 1999 ]

In late 2003, the writing duo were named one of the 50 funniest acts to work in television by "The Observer". [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1101525,00.html The A-Z of laughter] The Observer, 7 December 2003]

Theatre

In 2005, Mathews, with Michael Nugent and Paul Woodfull, co-wrote "I, Keano", a comedy musical play about footballer Roy Keane leaving the Republic of Ireland national football team before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

It is presented as a mock-epic melodrama about an ancient Roman legion preparing for war. In its first two years, over half a million people watched it, generating €10m ($13m) in ticket sales. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2007/01/31/story24309.asp "I, Keano" Still Has Fans in Raptures] "Irish Examiner", 31 January 2007] [ [http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_scope=TribuneFTF&id=81737&SUBCAT=&SUBCATNAME=&DT=04/02/2007%2000:00:00&keywords=keano&FC= "I, Keano" - The Never Ending Story] Edel Coffey, "Sunday Tribune Review", 4 February 2007] In January 2008, it began its fourth year of performances.

Books

Mathews has written two books:

* Well Remembered Days: Eoin O'Ceallaigh's Memoirs of a Twentieth-century Irish Catholic -- Arthur Mathews (Paperback - Macmillan - March 9, 2001) ISBN 0-333-90163-0. This book received many positive reviews. [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/2001/0303/archive.01030300193.html A Side-Splitting Spoof] Review of "Well-Remembered Days", Terry Eagleton, "Irish Times", 3 March 2001 ] [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/2001/0310/archive.01031000196.html It’s Not a Satire, It’s Surreal] Review of "Well-Remembered Days", Brian Boyd, "Irish Times", 10 March 2001 ] [ [http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_scope=TribuneFTF&id=41730&SUBCAT=&SUBCATNAME=&DT=11/03/2001%2000:00:00&keywords=%22divine%20comedy%22&FC= Divine Comedy] Review of "Well-Remembered Days", Harry McGee, "Sunday Tribune", 11 March 2001 ] [ [http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_scope=TribuneFTF&id=41817&SUBCAT=&SUBCATNAME=&DT=18/03/2001%2000:00:00&keywords=%22arthur%20mathews%22&FC= Those Were The Days] Review of "Well-Remembered Days", Michael Clifford, "Sunday Tribune", 18 March 2001 ] [ [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2001/0419/mathewsa.html Thank You For The Days] Review of "Well-Remembered Days", Harry Guerin, "RTE", 19 April 2001 ]

* "Father Ted": The Complete Scripts -- Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews. (Paperback - Boxtree - October 20, 2000) ISBN 0-7522-7235-7

Cartoons

Mathews has had two cartoon series published:

* Doctor Crawshaft's World of Pop, in NME, from 1992-1993

* The Chairman, in the Observer Sports Monthly, from 2003-2004

Television Appearances

Mathews has made cameo appearances in programmes he has written.

Linehan and Mathews also made a rare appearance in the sitcom "I'm Alan Partridge" as two Irish men considering Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) for a contract. In the absence of a picture, Mathews is the fairer haired of the two in the scene mentioned (though according to the episode's commentary, this is a wig).

Mathews also starred in I Am Not An Animal, an animated comedy series about talking animals written by Peter Baynham. He voiced a rabbit called Niall who had had his brain replaced with that of a call centre worker.

References

External links

* [http://www.village.ie/people/interviews/i%2c_arthur/ Interview with Mathews, Village Magazine, 4 January 2007]
* [http://www.irishplayography.com/search/person.asp?PersonID=9289 Arthur Mathews at IrishPlayography.Com]
*Screenonline name|id=1205722|name=Arthur Mathews

Father Ted