Research
Over the years, Matthew has turned his hand to several disciplines, from high school teaching to theatre directing, before taking the MA in the History of the Book at London University. He is now undertaking research for a PhD on an archive formed by his great-grandfather, Frank Fay (1870-1930), an Irish actor and producer, who collaborated with W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory on the plays that were performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Matthew is interested in the provenance of books and theatre history.
Bio
Dr Matthew Fay was awarded his PhD at the University of London (School of Advanced Study), where he previously received an MA in the History of the Book. He is currently working on a book based on his thesis, which explored the theatrical archive of Frank Fay, an Irish actor, who co-founded Dublin’s Abbey Theatre. In addition, he is working on a second archive, a wartime correspondence between Gerard and Alice Fay, with emphasis on the novels they discuss in the letters. Previously, he was Head of English at a state secondary school in Esher. He is on the WB Yeats Bedford Park Project committee which facilitated the installation of the sculpture, Enwrought Light by Conrad Shawcross to commemorate Yeats. He has worked as a theatre director in London and Edinburgh.