Meet our Artistic Director
Richard Marrett
Richard is well-known for his work throughout the country as a musical director, vocal coach, pianist, arranger and conductor. Previously, he worked as manager of the degree programmes offered by the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) and Ara Music Arts.
His musical direction credits for The Court Theatre include My Fair Lady; South Pacific; The Rocky Horror Show; The Sound of Music; Jerry’s Girls; Oliver!; Guys and Dolls; The Producers; La Cage Aux Folles; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!; Anything Goes; Cabaret; Side By Side By Sondheim; Grease; End of the Rainbow; Blood Brothers; Mary Poppins; Legally Blonde the Musical; Songs For Nobodies; Chicago; Jesus Christ Superstar; Jersey Boys; Little Shop of Horrors; Rent and Next to Normal.
Further musical direction credits include Mame; The King and I; Sweet Charity; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; West End to Broadway I, II and III; Les Misérables; 42nd Street; Fiddler on the Roof; Annie; Into The Woods; Jesus Christ Superstar; Urinetown; Beauty and the Beast; The Witches of Eastwick; Cats; Curtains; Buddy; Avenue Q; Hair; Spring Awakening; The Phantom of the Opera; Miss Saigon; Mamma Mia!; Hairspray; Ragtime; Evita; Wicked; We Will Rock You; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Matilda.
Richard’s work with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra has included seasons of Starry Nights and Classical Sparks in Hagley Park and the popular concert productions Oh, Danny Boy; Broadway Broads; Rodgers and Hammerstein; Bernstein and Sondheim; The Magical Music of Disney and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was also responsible for the musical supervision, keyboard programming, tracks and arrangements for several New Zealand touring productions and is often found working as producer and arranger on multiple recording projects. Richard has been Artistic Director of the popular choir, The Vocal Collective for the past four years.
Fresh from this year’s highlight season conducting My Fair Lady with The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Showbiz Christchurch, he will follow the hilarious Something Rotten with the equally fabulous, Kinky Boots.
Facebook Page: Richard Marrett MD
Meet our Assistant Music Director
William Buffham
William is a professional freelance musician, arranger, accompanist and music tutor, having graduated from Ara Institute of Canterbury (Bachelor of Music Arts).
William has previously worked for various music theatre companies around Christchurch, as a pianist, band member and music director. Recent credits have included the New Zealand premieres of 9 to 5, Come from Away, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and music direction for Finding Nemo at the Court Theatre - alongside previous career highlights including Wicked, Les Misérables, Matilda, Songs for a New World & Miss Saigon.
William also works as a musician and piano tutor for St Andrew’s College, at which he has played keyboards for over 20 of their musical productions, alongside working regularly as a professional arranger and orchestrator, having written and arranged music for the CSO, among others. He orchestrated and co-created the arrangements of St Andrew’s College’s end of year hit performances of Stairway to Heaven, Viva La Vida and their Aotearoa Medley.
Meet our Choir Coordinator
Bryony Matthews
Bryony Matthews is an Ōtautahi-based singer-songwriter known for her distinctive, lyric-driven compositions that sit within the alternative pop genre. With a focus on poetic storytelling and musical innovation, she has built a reputation for crafting deeply considered and emotive works.
Her debut album, Little Queen (2017), was met with critical acclaim, with Music.net.nz praising its “crafted songwriting and purity of vision,” firmly establishing her within the New Zealand’s alternative folk scene.
In 2023, Bryony released her sophomore album, We’re All The Same, recorded and mixed by Ryan Fisherman at The Hut in Christchurch and produced by Joshua Holmes (Jaz Paterson, Junus Orca, Your Indigo, Echo Trains, Emily C Browning). The album, a collection of both new and reimagined works, reflects on themes of motherhood, personal growth, and environmental consciousness. The title track underscores a poignant message about unity, urging listeners to focus on shared human experiences in an increasingly divided world.
Following the album’s release in April 2023, Bryony embarked on a nationwide tour of New Zealand and supported Mel Parsons in Christchurch during her Tiny Days tour. Currently, Bryony is developing a new EP and album set for release in 2026. Marking a departure from her folk-pop roots, this project embraces electronic elements and explores the deeply personal journey of her recovery from a serious head injury. Produced alongside Steven Marr (Doprah, The Veils, Miss June, Yumi Zouma, Ben Woods, Kane Strang, Die Die Die, Jazmine Mary- amongst others), this forthcoming body of work signifies a bold evolution in her sound and artistic direction.
“The vocals are ethereal, light, and soothing, while the minimalist electronic production creates an airy, dreamy feel.” — Fame Magazine
“Thinking Of You’ makes for a wonderfully rich and captivating listen. With her sweet and lofty voice layered amongst a sweeping electronic production, she has looked to broaden her sound and aesthetic with this kaleidoscopic new gem.” — Find Your Sounds
The Vocal Collective are so pleased to have Bryony as our Choir Coordinator.