The End of the Golden Weather

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When:

Sat 19 May ’07–Sun 20 May ’07

Where: Clarence St Theatre, 59 Clarence Street, Hamilton Show map

Classic NZ Play In Hamilton

Classic New Zealand play The End of The Golden Weather comes to Hamilton in May this year.

The End of the Golden Weather will be performed at Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May. Written by New Zealand playwright Bruce Mason in 1951 and performed by Mason as a one-man show throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, the play was adapted into an award-winning film by Ian Mune in 1971.

A new production of the play was staged last year in Auckland by 88 Degrees in the Shade and marked a return to the original one-man performance format. This new production directed by Mark Clare and produced by Graeme Bennett, featured former Neighbours star, and New Zealand actor, Stephen Lovatt.

Now, following a successful season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The End of The Golden Weather heads to Hamilton as part of a 14-centre North Island tour.

Set in Takapuna in the 1930’s, The End of the Golden Weather tells the story of 12-year-old Geoff Crome who is looking forward to an idyllic seaside summer. He makes friends with Firpo, a strange character whose ambition is to enter the Olympic Games and who is challenged to a race against the locals.

Producer Graeme Bennett says the original three-hour play has been edited into a 70-minute script while maintaining its evocative language.

“Modern culture in its advances has lost some of the joys of literature,” Graeme says. “This is a tale told with a love of language – language to inspire and illuminate a history that should never be forgotten.”

The End of the Golden Weather marked a return to the stage for actor Stephen Lovatt following three years playing Max Hoyland on Neighbours. Stephen trained at the New Zealand Drama School and has extensive experience in television, film and theatre in New Zealand and Australia.

The End of the Golden Weather is at Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton on Saturday 19 May at 8pm and Sunday 20 May at 2pm. Book at Ticketdirect on 0800 4TICKET or www.ticketdirect.co.nz.

“Stephen Lovatt gives an extraordinary performance which shows insight and sensitivity.” – National Business Review

"His [Stephen Lovatt's] performance was astounding... I'm still marvelling
at what I saw... Outstanding." – Imogen Neale, The Lumiere Reader

"The End of the Golden Weather has achieved iconic status and Stephen
Lovatt's revival demonstrates that the accolades are well deserved" – Paul
Simei-Barton, The New Zealand Herald