Matthew Keating

Soldier, Barbarian, King - Matthew Keating is the hardworking son of big sky country, with the heart of an artist and the determination of a feral pig. _________________________________________________________________________________ As a youngling, Australian born actor and producer Matthew Keating roamed the sparse, haunting plains of the Mallee country. Eventually his family settled under the wide skies of Hamilton- bastion of squatters and shepherds since the 1800's and traditional lands of the Gunditjamara people for time immemorial. Imagine the heartbreak of that wild eight year old boy, arriving in the 'Big Wool' Centre of southwest Victoria, only to discover the long-sought 'McDonald's' was yet to be established.... Some say it was this deep mortification of 'what could be' that drove him to spurn the conventional roles of a country sprat - he dabbled in the roles of butcher, factory hand and retail assistant - and pursue the creative urges sparked in the golden days of primary school concerts, high school musicals and Hamiliton's 'Dramus' Theatre Group. Career Guidance Advisor be damned; it was Acting School or bust. Manhood and a fierce independent streak brought him to the University of Ballarat Drama Department, and with it a rollicking good time as a breakdance instructor at ExistDance HipHoP Skool and a new fascination in the arts of self-defence. In the early 2000s, with an eye to the horizon of 'what could be,' Keating began to hone his passion for combat and athleticism to meet the growing industry demand for the high intensity roles in superhero, high fantasy and period drama; undertaking workshops with notable martial artist and stunt coordinator Richard Norton, historical combat instructor Sven Skildbiter, and former Commando and two-time World Jousting Champion Phillip Leitch. As a developing actor, Keating's has notably portrayed Police Officers, Wizards, Barbarians and Kings, and a variety of Soldiers - from the trenches of WW1 to a distant Galaxy, far far away. Keating's most significant recent commission was the interpretation of Aussie legend and entrepreneur Thomas Ritchie, founder of Ritchie's IGA - the largest independent grocery chain in the nation- bringing history to life at events and conferences around the country. Perhaps an element of 'what could be' lingers in the heart of every hardworking artist, spurring them on. For Keating this resolves as a dedication to the skill and arts of his trade, honing body and skill, reveling in workshops in dialect and performance, and exploring his passions as a short film producer with the Valiant Film Company, with titles as "Small Beginnings", "Corgi" and "Venture" earning significant accolades in various film festivals. He has not eaten McDonalds since 2006.