Former general manager sentenced for defrauding a theatre company of £76,000

A theatre company has issued a statement following the sentencing of a former staff member.

Aria Entertainment, who have produced a range of award-winning and high-profile productions over the last decade, were defrauded of close to £76,000 over a two year period.

In the statement, sent to WhatsOnStage, the company said that “in the summer 2023, irregularities in our company accounts were identified. A review confirmed that Chris Matanle, an employee since 2017, had committed acts of fraud during 2021 and 2022, totalling £76,000.”

According to a June story by the Mid Devon Advertiser, 40-year-old Matanle pled guilty to three charges of fraud, both against the company and a separate account for Claus the Musical, which ran in Salford in the winter of 2023.

The statement from Aria Entertainment continues: “In June 2025, Mr Matanle pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud, including abuse of trust. In August 2025, he was sentenced to 32 months in custody.”

Aria Entertainment, founded by Katy Lipson, continues to produce and co-produce a variety of hit work, including the WhatsOnStage Award-nominated Pippin concert that ran at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, as well as the five-star Kenrex and the five-star new musical Hot Mess. Both shows are due to run in London later this year.

Aria is also a co-producer on the forthcoming tour of Steps musical Here and Now, and produces the ongoing tour of The Addams Family, starring Alexandra Burke.

Lipson concluded: “Since discovering the fraud, I have focused on protecting the company’s operations, repaying all stolen funds whilst continuing to deliver high-quality productions. This unfortunate occurrence has required resilience and patience, but I believe the business has been strengthened as a result.”