For many years Syd has been an award winning actor, designer,
composer and director at the Dolphin Theatre where, in 2016 he
directed the hugely successful Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Working also with many other Auckland theatres Syd has also proudly directed Shadowlands, Present from the Past, Terra Nova, The Woman in Black, Bouncers, Shakers, Improbable Fiction, The God Of Carnage, A Doll’s House and the New Zealand premiere of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Syd has served on the Dolphin Theatre’s management committee for many years in the various positions of Vice President, Play Reading Convenor, Play Selection Sub-committee, Webmaster and Treasurer. This last year he has been working hard to implement the theatre’s exciting new, soon to be launched, online booking service.

as Lady Susan Vernon

We last saw Donna at Dolphin (and indeed on stage) as Pamela in Fox on the Fairway in 2014. Her other appearances here include The Opposite Sex and An Ideal Husband, and she has performed recently as Madame de Volanges in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Elvira in Blythe Spirit, both at Ellerslie Theatrical Society. As for Lady Susan, it turns out that cougars aren’t such a new thing after all!

as Charles Vernon

John may be a familiar face to many, having performed in quite a few productions at Dolphin since Party Piece in 2001, Looking in mid-2015 and, most recently, earlier this year, in A Tomb with a View. His other favourite haunts are Ellerslie Theatrical Society – The Graduate (2016), I Hate Hamlet (2014), The Dining Room (2013) and Nude with Violin (2012) – and many plays at North Shore’s Company Theatre from the 1990s, to Tom, Dick and Harry in 2010.

as Alicia Johnston

Alsa returned to the boards two years ago after a too-long break to focus on career, travel and babies! At her local Titirangi Theatre, she was last seen as the psychotic Duchess in Wyrd Sisters and as a bossy, clipboard-wielding Mother Hubbard in Red Riding Hood and the Three Pigs. Following her recent role as a victim of domestic violence in Duty at Te Pou Theatre, Alsa is thrilled to be involved in the somewhat lighter Lady Susan, her first appearance at the Dolphin, playing (completely against type) the bitchy and conniving best friend of our heroine.

as Reginald de Courcy

Jared is returning to theatre after a break from acting whilst completing his degree in dance at the University of Auckland. During his training, he worked with internationally recognised choreographers and dance practitioners and has had opportunities ranging from dancing in music videos to performing at the Civic Theatre. He hopes to continue finding work within the performing arts industry while concluding his dance training, as well as taking acting classes with the Kacie Stetson Studio.

as Catherine Vernon

Laurene is delighted to be back at the Dolphin Theatre after playing various roles during the production of Oliver Twist last year. (Her son played Oliver.) She is very excited to be playing the part of Lady Catherine Vernon, which is quite a contrast from ‘Fancy, Francie – got no pants’, in Boys at the Beach, which played recently at Ellerslie Theatrical Society.

as Manwaring

Charlie got bitten by the acting bug when he was 30 and did five shows in two years. When he changed careers, it was difficult to spare the time theatre requires, so he’s thrilled to be back. This is his first show in five years, and for Charlie, the ‘new’ theatre alterations are still new! His role as Manwaring really hits the spot. He’s an interesting character, probably best described as a ‘thoroughly charming gentleman in all respects’ but with a little hypocrisy thrown in for good measure … He can’t be perfect, after all!

as Maria Manwaring & Eliza

Malikah is very excited about her first onstage role after extensive backstage work. She is excited to have the opportunity to experience being part of the cast, while playing the joint role of Maria Manwaring and Eliza. She connects mostly with Eliza, who enjoys watching the lives of the lords and ladies without getting caught up in it herself.

as Sir James Martin

Raymond has performed at Dolphin in That Woman (2014) and Twelfth Night (2010) and has been itching to get back here to play with the wonderfully talented people Dolphin attracts! Some of his most rewarding acting experiences have happened on this stage. He was last seen at Glen Eden Playhouse in their production of Our Town earlier this year, where he played a variety of roles ranging from an over enthusiastic university lecturer to a grave digger with a suitably morbid disposition. He’s looking forward to seeing what surprises Sir James throws at him.

as Wilson, Walters & Footman

This is Thomas’s second production of Dolphin’s 2017 season. He starred in The Cripple of Inishmaan as Bartley McCormick, an Irish teen with a sweet tooth. He has enjoyed delving into the eye-opening world of Jane Austen, and his manservant characters will be one of the most difficult roles he has ever undertaken in his six years here at Dolphin. Aside from theatre, Thomas enjoys longs walks, white sandy beaches and deep, meaningful conversations.

as Frederica Vernon

This is Rosie’s first production with Dolphin Theatre, previously having starred in high school drama productions. Playing Frederica has been an exciting opportunity although, luckily, Rosie cannot personally identify with Frederica’s problems! Delving into the world of Jane Austen has been an experience like no other and it’s been really interesting to learn about the issues relating to women’s standing in society at the time as background knowledge for the play.