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The Dolphin Theatre began as The Onehunga Repertory Players in 196 1 when Mrs Veronica Dow, an actress and producer who had been active in English repertory theatre, was invited by the Mayor and Mayoress of that time, Mr and Mrs Leo Manning, to form a drama group in Onehunga. Initially their plays were presented at the Onehunga High School.
The Onehunga Borough Council then provided the land in Spring Street, two old buildings and a generous $3000 loan. Mrs Dow approached many firms for help with materials and labour. The players themselves and their families wielded saws and hammers, laid carpets, fixed seating, installed lighting and sound systems.
When the new theatre opened in May 1966 the group renamed themselves "The Little Dolphin Theatre" after the Mermaid Theatre in London. Ticket prices in those days were 4/- per adult, 3/- for senior citizens, 2/- per child and the performance fee was £21 0s 0d.
With the opening of the first play "Worms Eye View" (see play list) a little Dolphin was seen in the Manukau Harbour, remaining there for the duration of the two week season before swimming away. This was considered a wonderful omen for the new theatre.
By the end of the first year, with the indomitable spirit and sound business sense of its founder Veronica Dow and the enthusiastic community support, the Little Dolphin Theatre was debt free with a membership of 500. Mrs Veronica Dow retired from the presidency in 1970 and handed over the reins to Aileen Henderson, who presided for the next 12 years, instigating many improvements.
In 1981 the theatre was extensively modernised and renovated giving the facilities at the theatre parity with any professional theatre. Audience seating was increased from 94 to 121 and the word "Little" was dropped from the name and the "Dolphin Theatre" emerged.  In 1983 the Young Dolphins was started to encourage young actors to develop their skills.
The next renovations were in the summer of 1995/1996 when the theatre auditorium and stage areas were vastly improved by raising the entire roof and increasing the auditorium raking. Upgrading and recladding completed the the external walls.
In 2000 the theatre announced the arrival of its very own web site, designed and implimented by Syd Mannion. The graphical based sight provides information about the year's productions, the directors, actors and crews, plus information about the theatre's history and features such as awards and committees. Twelve months later saw the implimentation of the Dolphin's very own search engine.
To date over 200 full length productions have been staged. The longest running show was "Nunsense" (1992) which extended its season from 3 to 4 weeks. The largest cast was a pantomime "The Golden Rattle" (1972) with a cast of 43. "Aunty Mame" (1986), which was the 100th production, boasts the largest wardrobe with 118 costumes.
The theatre produces six full productions per year, each with a three week run. It has a very loyal and enthusiastic audience and also a strong and talented core of cast and crew that ensure that The Dolphin Theatre is, and will remain, one of the most successful amateur theatres in Australasia.
We like to think that back in 1966, the little dolphin in the harbour knew why it had come.
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