Writers-composers Jonathan Alver and James Doy have both devoted much of their professional careers to the musical theatre stage, with extensive creative experience as musicians, producers, directors, composers and writers.
Jonathan Alver
Jonathan has written and directed opera, theatre and screen productions in the UK, Europe, US and New Zealand for over 25 years.
After training as a singer at the Royal Northern College of Music, Jonathan’s major directing debut came at the age of 25 when he remounted the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Showboat at the London Palladium. Since then his international stage directing credits include Aida, La Boheme, Macbeth, Falstaff and Tosca, and co-producing Jailhouse Rock - The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End. His writing credits include: Figaro the Untold Tale, The Seasons of Vivaldi, My Dear Mozart and now Wendy the Musical. He has also directed more than 100 broadcast television hours of Shortland Street and Go Girls, and is Director of the New Zealand Opera School.
For seven years Jonathan was the General and Artistic Director of New Zealand Opera and, in 2012, joined NYTC as Artistic Director delivering productions that include Oliver, Joseph, Grease, The Little Mermaid, Seussical and The Wizard of Oz.
Jonathan also directs and produces major events. Recent projects include: Creative Director - Queens Wharf Auckland Fan Zone for DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017; Creative Producer - Auckland visit of Premier Li Keqiang of China; Creative Director - The Advantage Line NZ in London RWC2015; and Creative Director – Opening Ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Christchurch.
James Doy
James Doy (B.Mus L.T.C.L.) is a professional musician, musical director and composer, with a resume including Christmas and Opera in the Park, Rob Guest, Max Bygraves and Shirley Bassey. In the world of musical theatre, James has played for many international touring productions including Les Miserables, Little Shop of Horrors, Porgy and Bess, Cats, Matilda and Wicked. James has been actively involved in training young people in Musical Theatre since 1997.
James was one of the founding members of the National Youth Theatre Company, and has been the Musical Director since its inception in 2005. In 2012 James was appointed General Manager - under James’ management, NYTC has become a genuinely sustainable charity. In 2015 James instituted a new Outreach programme, bringing the NYTC experience to a new world of young performers who would otherwise be unable to participate.
In 2014 James received the prestigious 'NZ Musician of the Year' award from the Variety Artists Club. James was the Musical Director of the NZ Opening Ceremony for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, composing, arranging, and working with artists from Sole Mio to Hayley Westernra as well as putting together a huge showcase for the music from each of the 14 participating nations. He composed the theme for Peta Matthias’s Taste New Zealand, which has been screened all over the world. Peter Pan is his first full-length musical.