Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) was a prolific English crime writer known for 66 detective novels and 15 short-story collections, selling over two billion copies.

Her works feature iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Parker Pyne and Harley Quin.

Christie's writing career began during WWI, inspired by a challenge from her sister. She went on to write over a hundred works, including novels, short stories, plays, poetry, and two autobiographies. She also wrote six romantic novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott.

Her plays enjoyed immense success, with the London run of "The Mousetrap" exceeding 25,000 performances.

Christie's legacy as a crime novelist remains unparalleled.

Jake La Jeunesse

as TREDWELL

After twenty-six years, Jake reckons he must have appeared in, directed, worked backstage, or played in the orchestra for well over a hundred productions. He has also written several plays and contributed to Broadway World on occasion, and won “Best Animation” at the Culver City Film Festival for his animated film, Stripper Heist. Most recently, he has played Lloyd in Noises Off, Herr Flick in a dinner theatre production of Allo Allo, and graced the Dolphin’s stage in another Agatha Christie show, The Spider’s Web.

Georgia Benton

as LUCIA AMORY (Richard’s wife)

Marking her debut at Dolphin Theatre, Georgia returns to the stage after a brief hiatus following her high school performances in classics like Singin' in the Rain, Alice in Wonderland, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Comedy of Errors. Amidst her university studies, acting serves as her canvas for creative expression and the art of storytelling. She's recently immersed herself in several short films and is excited to reunite with the stage alongside a warm and talented cast and crew.

Victoria Poole

as MISS CAROLINE AMORY

Victoria's passion for theatre and murder mysteries have been reignited this year. She is very excited to take on the role of Caroline Amory in Black Coffee after doing the Sound Design & Prompt for Clue at Dolphin Theatre. She is not new to Agatha Christie mysteries as has been in three other shows previously with Shoreside Theatre. When not on stage, she loves being a mum to her two amazing boys and working as an accountant in the creative field.

Izzy Van Ellemeet

as BARBARA AMORY

Izzy is a passionate devotee to Auckland’s vibrant international and local community theatre. From her early days immersed in Shakespearean classics to the vivacious world of musicals like Grease, Izzy has returned triumphantly to the stage making her debut performance in NZ with none other than an Agatha Christie masterpiece. Cast as Barbara, the embodiment of a young modern woman, Izzy finds a profound resonance with her character, drawing upon parallels with her personal journey and experiences.

Thomas Campbell

as RICHARD AMORY

Jumping from one set of boards to another, Thomas comes hot off the Howick Little Theatre stage, having recently appeared in the psychological thriller Aurèlia. Thomas is thrilled to cop an Agatha Christie trifecta; having previously appeared in two of her stage pieces. Most recently starring the flamboyant Christopher Wren (The Mousetrap, Shoreside Theatre) and in 2019, played the officious lawyer Justin Fogg (Go Back for Murder, Dolphin Theatre). Other acting highlights include Dead Simple (HLT), Persuasion (Dolphin Theatre), and The Cripple of Inishmaan (Dolphin Theatre). Offstage, he works advising the Crown and the public on policy matters.

Gary Sandelin

as DR CARELLI

Gary is excited to be making his Aotearoa NZ stage debut in Black Coffee. For a while now he's been playing the critically-acclaimed role of "Dad" for an audience of one. Prior to that Gary appeared in productions in New York, Portland, and Miami, in roles such as Detective Harrison in Terror by Gaslight (Tim Kelly for Twilight Theatre Company) and Randolph in Orcsplaining (Mark Russell for Monkey with a Hat On), as well as improv performances (Upright Citizen's Brigade). Gary thanks his wife Ellie and daughter Tillie, whose love and support make his performance possible.

Jesse Park

as EDWARD RAYNOR

Last year, while in his final year of school, Jesse played the role of Dakin in The History Boys (Company Theatre), completed an ATCL Diploma in Speech and Drama, and achieved Scholarship Drama.  This year, as well as being in screen projects, he’s played roles of Vice-Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (St Cuthbert’s College) and Julian in Five Go on an Adventure (Tim Bray Theatre Company).  Jesse is thrilled to be working with Glenda and the talented cast, and to be part of the Dolphin Theatre family!

Grant Lloyd

as SIR CLAUD AMORY 

Grant’s love for acting took a long break when he diverted his attention to the use of drama in education. As well as using drama in the classroom, he directed many major productions and J-Rock dance performances for the Intermediate school where he taught. He recently returned to acting by playing Father Jack in Titirangi Theatre’s recent on-stage revival of the popular television comedy series, Father Jack. Following this, he took on the role of Neville Cooper, founder of Gloriavale in the television docudrama series Escaping Utopia. Grant is delighted to be playing the part of Sir Claud in his first role with Dolphin Theatre.

Zane Fleming

as HERCULE POIROT

Zane started acting at the age of 6. And since then has made a name for himself in the Auckland film, TV, and theatre community. Some of his notable theatre roles include “Detective Sgt Trotter” in The Mousetrap, “Detective Sgt Branson” in Dead Simple, and “The Actor” in The Woman in Black, a role he has played three times most recently at The PumpHouse Theatre in 2022 alongside Michael Hurst. Zane is thrilled to be performing at The Dolphin one last time before moving to London later this year. Zane would like to dedicate his performance to his late friend and mentor Norman Fairley. His  kindness and support to a young man will never be forgotten

Blair Purkiss

as CAPTAIN ARTHUR HASTINGS OBE

Blair has been acting for most of his life, including earning a Diploma of Performing Arts from Hagley Theatre Company in Christchurch. He first performed at the Dolphin Theatre in 2011 with A Few Good Men and since then he has been involved in many other plays including Baskerville and Arsenic and Old Lace. Black Coffee marks his first return to the stage since the pandemic and he is excited to bring the role of Captain Hastings to life alongside his good friend Zane's final performance at The Dolphin.

Steve Russon

as DR GRAHAM/ JOHNSON

Steve, originally from the North of England, emigrated to New Zealand in 2013. Having previously studied theatre at college in the UK, he rediscovered a love for live theatre after appearing as Lord Augustus in the Mairangi Players’ interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan. Steve now joins us at The Dolphin to get embroiled in an Agatha Christie classic. An alumni of Goldsmiths College London and the University of Auckland, Steve’s specialist focus is hospital management, intensive care nursing, and digital health delivery… not that this will help him to save Sir Claude tonight! 

Gavin Leary

as INSPECTOR JAPP 

After a 12 year gap between productions at Dolphin, Gavin decided to jump straight into another production after playing Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, which only closed in June! During the 12 years between appearances at Dolphin, he appeared in See How They Run, Uncle Vanya and Journey’s End at The Brentwood Theatre in the UK.