John Palmer
as Alex Dennison
John has performed in a fair few productions at Dolphin since his first appearance in Party Piece in 2001, most recently The Revival in 2021, An Inspector Calls in 2018 and Lady Susan and Tomb with a View in 2017. Other favourite haunts are Ellerslie Theatre (The Graduate 2016, I Hate Hamlet 2014, The Dining Room 2013 & Nude with Violin 2012) and many plays at North Shore’s Company Theatre from the 1990’s to Neville’s Island in 2021.
Trudy Price-Madgwick
as Monica Wells
This is Trudy's first show with Dolphin Theatre and she's loved every minute. She'd like to thank Julia for her support, patience and tremendous direction; it's been such a pleasure to work with this talented cast and crew. 2023 stage highlights include playing Belinda in Papakura Theatre Company's Noises Off and Carol Strong/Cheryl Ann in Debase's Catch Me If You Can. Trudy owes a lot to her very supportive (and understanding) husband and kids for giving her space to indulge in her passion for theatre!
Bradley Pope
as Frank Heller
Bradley has been involved in community theatre for nearly 15 years now; ranging from acting, stage managing and assistant directing. In 2019, Bradley portrayed the role of Captain Mainwaring in Papakura Theatre Company’s production of Dad’s Army. This won him a NAPTA award for best leading actor in a play. This is Bradley’s first performance at Dolphin Theatre. Working under the direction of the amazing Julia Leathwick has made him feel at home and now part of the Dolphin family. Rehearsal for Murder has been a challenging but certainly more rewarding experience for Bradley. The cast and crew have made it worthwhile and he is excited to come back and perform here in the near future.
Stephanie Liebert
as Bella Lamb
Having last performed under Julia’s direction in 2004 (playing Sally Brown in ‘Snoopy The Musical’ for Harlequin Theatre), Steph is delighted to be back working with her good friend in a role that could not be more different! With a wealth of experience in musical theatre, radio, television and film, Steph recently played Miss Jane Marple in “A Murder Is Announced” at Howick Little Theatre. 2021 saw her in Agatha Christie’s “A Spider’s Web” for Dolphin Theatre. This was a role for which she won two awards. In 2014 she played Velma Von Tussle in “Hairspray The Musical” at Sky City Theatre. This was followed by the role of Desiree in Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” (2016, Auckland Music Theatre) . You may hear Steph’s voice in commercials and occasionally spot her on tv. When not enjoying the limelight on the stage, Steph is a passionate animal lover, runner, gardener and writer.
Melissa Uren
as Sally Bean
Melissa found her love of performing when she was 3, and started studying acting seriously when she was in high school. During high school, Melissa took part in various one act play’s including playing ‘Hamlet’ from Sarah Delahunty’s ‘2b or nt 2b’ and ‘Emma’ from Mike Bartlett’s ‘Contractions’ - which won her Overall Best Actor award in the NZ Theatre Festival. In her final year, Melissa took part in The Auckland Fringe Festival 2021. She played ‘Lee’ in Seed Theatre’s play ‘Sunrise’ - which won the Taurima Vibes Atawhai Award. Melissa has been apart of many student films including; ‘Is She Invisible?’ playing ‘Cassie’, as well as the film ‘Morgan Charles’ playing ‘Morgan’. One of Melissa’s proudest achievements is having performed on Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, in London, as part of the SGCNZ’s Young Shakespeare Company 2022. (Playing Portia in ‘Julius Caesar’). Over this past year, Melissa studied full time acting for stage and screen at London drama school; ‘Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts’. Melissa is looking forwards to making her Dolphin theatre debut.
Sheree Veysey
as Karen Daniels
Sheree Veysey is really excited to be part of such a warm and talented cast; although she's not sure if she's looking forward most to portraying Karen's complexities, or wearing eighties outfits... Sheree has most recently been seen in Dolphin Theatre's "Kimberly Akimbo" as the irrepressible Aunt Deb, as well as featuring in the 2023 season of ten minute plays at Howick Little Theatre. Sheree loves the way acting a role allows her to somehow be more of herself while being someone else. In her spare time, she is a writer and songwriter of children's songs. You can't spend long with Sheree without hearing about her fourteen beautiful nieces and nephews or her very cute and demanding miniature fox terrier.
Shivneel Singh
as Leo Gibbs
Shiv was raised in west Auckland and after an environment that nurtured anything but the arts, he feels that nothing is impossible. An athletic and left-brained background and upbringing, Shiv has broken the status quo and has been lucky enough to train and work as an actor locally and overseas on screen and stage - not without a Science degree as per the parents request which actually turned out to be the best thing ever! Shiv has recently wrapped his first feature film shoot internationally in the States and is running into this with good momentum to round off his creative year. My parents put up with all my crazy ideas/ventures and have been greatly supportive of me and influential in who I am today also my mum loves a classic 'who dunnit' so this one is for you Ma and Pa.
Jake La Jeunesse
as David Matthews
Jake has prepared for the role of David Matthews by spending the last 25 years on stage, just to really get inside the mind of an actor. Having performed in New Zealand, the U.S. and South Korea, his career highlights include playing George Burns, directing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and appearing as Lloyd this year in Noises Off in Papakura. In addition to acting, Jake is a writer, director and—apparently--an animator; his animated film, Stripper Heist, (somehow) won Best Animation in the Culver City Film Festival last year.
Ian Milnes
as Lloyd Andrews
After a long hiatus, Ian wanted to see if learning lines still terrified him (it does) and whether it was worth the pain (it is). He once played another director called Lloyd (Noises Off, HLT, 2014) and wonders if the two are connected. Like Sting, he hopes you enjoy this Englishman in New York.
Ian directs, acts and designs sets. Most recently he has designed sets for Kimberly Akimbo (Dolphin Theatre, 2023) and Home, I'm Darling (HLT, 2023). He was last on stage in Noel Coward's I'll Leave it to You (HLT, 2018).
Andrew Maher
as Ernie/ Lt. McElroy
Andrew has been a regular performer on Auckland stages. His last two shows at Dolphin were as Angus in Roger Hall’s “Last Legs” and the butler in Agatha Christie’s “A Spider’s Web”. He was also a spectral ghost in “The Revival” but like all good ghosts his appearance was only rumoured at.
Other notable roles include “Twelve Angry Men” at Centrestage, “The Ladykillers” and “Our Man in Havana” both at Howick little Theatre. Most recently he appeared in Roger Hall’s two hander “Winding Up” at Titirangi.
He has appeared in numerous television commercials and bit parts in TV shows.
When not in the theatre he is busy producing musical and other stage events. Just can’t stay away!
Also Andrew is a keen cyclist and active and avid grandfather to seven.
Anne Kendall
as Loretta/ Female Cop
This is only Anne's second ever on stage role with her first being the incredibly difficult role of a passed out prostitute in California Suite. Anne is more regularly found haunting the back of the stage where she has done everything from stage managing to lighting and from being tech crew to sound board operator. Anne is incredibly thankful for the chance to work with this amazing cast and fabulous director
Karl Fleet
as Mr. Santoro/ Male Cop
This is the first time Karl has performed in the Dolphin Theatre, but has performed on stage, screen and inside a wrestling ring around the country. Most recently he played Sergeant Carlino in Wait Until Dark at Howick Little Theatre
Karl has been in a number of ads, short films, a reality TV show, and for over ten years, he was a professional wrestler becoming the New Zealand Heavyweight Champion.
Karl is a fan of the thriller/mystery genre. Even writing one himself and becoming an Amazon best-selling author. His novel Corporate Truth hit number one on Amazon in multiple categories including thriller, suspense and psychological thriller.