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Written by
Bruce Mason -
In a company version by
Raymond Hawthorne -
Directed by
Lara Macgregor
A boy welcomes us into his world: the fictitious beachside community of Te Parenga, a golden territory in the land of milk and honey. Life here is idyllic and simple, filled with sun-drenched days by the sea.
But as time goes on, the encroaching reality of the outside world starts to seep in. The Queen Street riots ignite whispers of unrest and Boy watches from the sidelines as the local policeman tries to keep the peace. Christmas comes and goes and life feels like it’s flatlining until he stumbles across local eccentric, Firpo. At first Boy is frightened by Firpo’s strangeness then later he finds himself captivated by Firpo’s dedication to “getting himself fit for the Olympic Games”. Curiosity changes everything about that summer.
Filled with bravado, the local lads challenge Firpo to a race and Boy prays he’ll beat them to the finish line. History runs its course, then some weeks later, when Boy goes to visit Firpo, he’s gone. He is suddenly struck by the realisation that summer is fleeting and - like his childhood - it is coming to an end.
“...a powerfully insightful and poignant coming-of-age story that every New Zealander should be familiar with.” - John Smythe, Theatreview
“Bruce Mason’s masterpiece continues to astound, entertain and reveal deeper levels of meaning.” - Paul Simei-Barton, Theatreview
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Key Dates
- 7:30pm, Saturday 3 May 2025: Opening Night
- 6:30pm, Tuesday 6 May 2025: Post Show Q&A - a special performance where the audience gets to ask cast and crew questions after the show
- 2:00pm, Saturday 24 May 2025: Matinee
- 7:30pm, Saturday 7 June 2025: Closing Night
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Tickets
Premium A-Reserve High Seating Restricted View Standard $79 $69 $59 $25 Earlybird** $69 $59 $49 $25 Senior (65+) $71 $62 $53 $25 Friends of The Court Theatre $67 $59 $50 $25 Group (10+) 10% discount* Child (under 18) $47 $41 $35 $25 Community Services, Student ID or Hāpai Access cardholders $47 $41 $35 $25 * Discount applies to all ticket prices in this table.
** Earlybird price is only valid for the first two weeks of the show’s season – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Matinees only. Earlybird pricing ends two weeks before the opening night of the show. - Cast
- Creatives
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Press Reviews
"This premiere production is capital-N nice – a charming, thoughtful and beautifully-designed show, powered by the charged magic of intimate storytelling, that leaves you hovering on the cusp of something new and unknown. Anyone who gets there early, enjoys the bright and open multi-storyed foyer’s many spaces, then sits in the audience of this exceptional new theatre will look around, too, and think ‘isn’t it wonderful to have nice things’."
"The Court Theatre’s amusing and moving production of a company version of The End of the Golden Weather is an inspired choice for the opening of their splendid new theatre."
"I adored this piece of New Zealand nostalgia. It wasn’t overly cooked, like a bad Sunday roast. Instead, The End of the Golden Weather combined the best of New Zealand storytelling with the best of New Zealand acting, with a wealth of New Zealand creative talent in the newest of New Zealand purpose-built theatres. You can’t ask for more than that."
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Audience Reviews
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