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Derek Metzger is a familiar face to most New Zealanders, many of whom would remember his early success in the nation-wide television talent quests of the late '70s, when, as a schoolboy, he won The Entertainers and Singer for Asia. He went on to perform in Hong Kong and 15 states of the U.S.A. before leaving high school. He won an Outstanding Performance Award at the Pacific Song Contest in Canada and the same year was voted New Zealand's Rising Star. His credits include television, where he appeared on virtually every major light entertainment series in New Zealand over the last decade including his own one hour special, recording and the concert stage. However, theatre has always been his first love and it is in this medium that he has now firmly established a career. Following title roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Hans Christian Andersen he was chosen by the late Sir Robert Helpmann for the lead role in the world premiere of the musical Aloha and subsequently did three productions in New Zealand and Hawaii. In 1985 Derek travelled to England where he spent three years in the hit musical 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, in which he understudied and performed the demanding role of Billy Lawlor. During his time in London he worked at the Donmar Warehouse on a production of a new musical Matador, which later moved to the West End, performed at the Piccadilly Theatre in A Tribute to Noel Coward and was privileged to appear in the 1986 Royal Variety Performance. Upon his return to New Zealand he played the leads in a succession of productions including Some Like It Hot, Chess, Me and My Girl and Side by Side by Sondheim. In 1993 Derek made the move across the Tasman. Since settling in Australia Derek has been constantly on the move with national tours of Cole Porter's A Swell Party, The Pirates of Penzance for Essgee and Me and My Girl for which he won the 1994 Green Room "Best Actor in a Musical" Award for his portrayal of Bill Snibson. Television appearances have also kept him busy with regular spots on Bert Newton's Good Morning Australia, The Midday Show and a guest in the drama series G.P. Derek received critical acclaim for his debut Album Me and My Songs which was arranged and produced by his close friend and colleague, Carl Doy. Derek renewed his association with the Pirates crew, Essgee Entertainment and Jon English on the happy romp of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado in New Zealand in 1996 as well as touring to Adelaide for a return season and then to close in Perth. Derek made a surprise cameo appearance in Essgee's video recording of HMS Pinafore to ensure he appeared in all three videos in the trilogy. Derek is now back in Sydney pursuing other acting ventures. He has most recently been a principal actor in the Melbourne production of Spamalot.