Nigel Withington - Late Son

Nigel has a strong, diverse musical background and began his singing career in choirs and regional music festivals in primary school. During high school, Nigel performed in productions of Oliver and South Pacific in principal roles and has since appeared in Westend To Broadway 3, Starry Nights, and as a soloist in An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics for Showbiz Canterbury. Nigel has more recently appeared in the role of Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden – Spring Version with Enchanting Productions in 2021.

Nigel has trained classically with local voice coaches Helen Charlton and Ravil Atlas and is a member of the New Zealand Opera chorus appearing in their productions of Acis and Galatea, Don Giovanni, two seasons of La bohème (understudied the role of Parpignol), Madama Butterfly (solo role Official Registrar), La Traviata (solo role Guiseppe), Carmen, Tosca, Trial by Jury, The Barber of Seville, Macbeth, and Cosi fan tutte. Nigel holds an Advanced Certificate in Singing from Trinity Guildhall.

Nigel also regularly performs around Christchurch with cabaret band The Great Pretenders and in duo act The Fun Key Notes where the repertoire has more of a pop/rock flavour. Nigel is also a regular soloist in Christchurch’s annual Carols by Candlelight event.

Nigel is excited to join his Toi Toi Opera family once again for Riders to the Sea, having previously appeared in their A Barber & Bernstein Double Bill (2022), Off Centre Festival concerts (2023), and Serenade to Music (2025).

Nigel is also covering the role of Bartley.