SEASON OF – THE END OF THE – by Bruce Mason in a company version directed by Murray Lynch PRINCIPAL FUNDERS CORE FUNDERS PREMIER PARTNER MAJOR PROJECT PARTNERS WELCOME Bruce Mason was an intrepid It has become a New Zealand Big thanks to our core funder The MAJOR SUPPORTERS theatre animal. Undeterred by classic: a feature film, a radio Lion Foundation who brings you the very limited opportunities play, a solo vehicle for other this season of THE END OF THE for professional actors in actors since Bruce’s death in GOLDEN WEATHER. New Zealand in the late 1950s, the early 1980s and has been Enjoy! Bruce decided to create a developed into an ensemble piece. All these versions simply Proud to be NZ’s Most Awarded Official caterers of Auckland solo work based on his childhood Winery and Sponsor of Auckland confirm how beloved the work Theatre Company experiences of Takapuna Theatre Company is to New Zealand audiences. Beach and tour it throughout Colin McColl the country. This company version by Murray MEDIA PARTNERS Lynch and his nine fabulous He performed it nearly 1,000 young actors brings to life a times — everywhere from lovingly orchestrated work that woolsheds to Opera Houses stays faithful to the text and spirit (and one unfortunate late night of the original. My huge thanks performance at Downstage to them all and to the design Theatre, Wellington that I team — Brian King, Nathan stage managed where his McKendry and Gareth Farr — for table collapsed under him as so concisely and cleverly realising SUPPORTING PARTNERS he uttered the very first line!). the world of 1930s Te Parenga. BKA INTERACTIVE / BDO AUCKLAND / CANON M.A.C. COSMETICS / MARKETING IMPACT / WAIWERA WATER MAIDMENT THEATRE / THE EDGE / Q SEASON OF – THE END OF THE – THE LION FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE ARTS, AN IMPORTANT PART OF NEW ZEALAND’S CULTURAL IDENTITY To that end, we’re delighted to by Bruce Mason in a company version fund Auckland Theatre Company directed by Murray Lynch and are particularly pleased to support the work they do in bringing New Zealand stories CAST to the stage and making theatre Tim Carlsen, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Elliot Christensen-Yule, Byron Coll, Dena Kennedy, Sophie Roberts, Nic Sampson, accessible to young people. Fern Sutherland & Matariki Whatarau THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER is an iconic piece of New Zealand writing and Bruce Mason is undoubtedly one CREATIVE of our finest writers. Director – Murray Lynch Set & Costume Design – Brian King ATC’s Literary works to support and encourage New Zealand playwrights in the Lighting Design – Nathan McKendry Composer – Gareth Farr development of new works. The Lion Foundation has supported ATC Literary since Marimba performed by Gareth Farr its inception, and with over 100 plays workshopped in this time, we have no doubt Bruce would be very pleased to see his legacy continued. Lion Foundation funding also enables over 7,000 students to see Auckland Theatre Company shows at highly PRODUCTION subsidised prices each year. Over 2,000 students will see THE END OF THE GOLDEN Production Manager – Mark Gosling Technical Manager – Paul Nicoll WEATHER as part of this programme. Assistant Technical Manager – Josh Bond Senior Stage Manager – Fern Christie Raising funds for community causes is at the heart of The Lion Foundation. This funding assists many groups nationwide to make a real and lasting difference Stage Manager – Jade Turrall Operator – Rochelle Haughton in their communities. Wardrobe Supervisor – Sophie Ham Properties Master – Diana Kovacs As a charitable trust, we return millions of dollars annually to a wide range of arts, Set Construction – 2 Construct Rehearsal Photography – Amber McWilliams cultural, sporting, educational and health focused causes – both large and small. Publicist – Sally Woodfield Vocal Coach – Kirstie O’Sullivan We are proud to work locally across the country to help make a difference to hundreds The University of Auckland Postgraduate Interns – Stephanie Cooke & Luanne Sullivan of thousands of New Zealanders every year. To learn more about The Lion Foundation or our community grants please visit www.lionfoundation.org.nz or call freephone By arrangement with 0800 802 908. I am sure you will enjoy your night out at the theatre. The Lion Foundation is proud to play a role in ensuring the future of the performing arts in Auckland and New Zealand. AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR HELP WITH THIS PRODUCTION: Belinda Robinson, Rebecca Mason, Roger Hall, Howard McNaughton, Christian Penny, Phil Holden Aneta Ruth, Takapuna Library, NZ Film Archive, Natalie Braid, Vector Wellington Orchestra CEO – The Lion Foundation The Lion Foundation Season of THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER is the seventh Auckland Theatre Company production for 2011 and opened on 1st September. THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER is approximately 140 minutes long with an interval. Please remember to switch off all mobile phones, pagers and watch alarms. DIRECTOR’S SYNOPSIS NOTES Only a handful of fine performers The boy welcomes us into his It is a rare have been given permission to world: the 1930s beachside stage Bruce’s solo work but a community of Te Parenga, a privilege to different version of the play was golden territory in the land of created by Raymond Hawthorne milk and honey. The boy spends be staging a for the Theatre Corporate acting idyllic days on the beach, meeting company in the early ‘80s. The the local characters, swimming New Zealand script of Raymond’s version is still and eavesdropping on the local regularly licensed for schools and gossip, heading home at the play that is community theatres. end of the day for sandwiches and charades. However, the real more than fifty I have the privilege of staging world starts to intrude, showing the play for a third time. In 1987 the boy that the golden idyll years old. I worked with ten actors, in an cannot last. The Queen Street Auckland company we created riots spark rumblings of dissent This one is a key work in our called Tantrum, to develop the in Te Parenga, which are quelled playwriting history and one of conceptualisation you will see My thanks to the actors who by strong words from the local the earliest to bring a distinct tonight. I was later asked by have informed this production policeman as the boy watches in New Zealand voice to the stage. Colin McColl to re-stage this via the earlier manifestations horror from the shadows. In an interview for television with a different group of actors at (Peter Brunt, Jude Gibson, Phillip filmed shortly before his death, Downstage Theatre in Wellington. Gordon, Maggie Harper, Elizabeth Christmas, however, brings all Bruce told us he performed I am thrilled that, more than McRae, Peter Nicoll, David the usual trimmings — church, THE END OF THE GOLDEN twenty years later, Colin has Stott, Amanda Tollemache, John presents, swimming, feasting WEATHER as a solo work 986 asked me to work with a talented Watson, Frank Whitten, Nick — and a Christmas pageant that times over several years. He new generation of actors to stage Blake, Stephen Clements, Cliff the boy pours heart and soul toured on a gruelling circuit of this wonderful play. Curtis, Theresa Healey, Desmond into. When the celebrations are one-night stands throughout Kelly, Stephen Lovatt, Robyn over, the boy goes exploring In the first manifestation of the country in community halls, Malcolm, Helen Moulder and the edges of a rich neighbour’s this concept, Bruce Mason’s theatres, and even a woolshed, Michaela Rooney). I am grateful property, and finds one of the younger daughter, Rebecca often being away from his family to have worked with these fine beach’s characters, Firpo, living Mason acted as dramaturg for months at a time. actors. in a bach. Frightened by Firpo’s and his wife, Diana Mason, strangeness, the boy flees. Later I had the pleasure of stage was a huge supporter of both I hope you enjoy tonight’s in the summer, Firpo is on the managing performances of this productions. Bruce’s older performance as much as beach “getting himself fit for the and three of his other solo plays daughter, Belinda Robinson, we have bringing it to you. Olympic Games”, much to the when Bruce brought them to is literary executor of the Mason community’s mirth. Some local Centrepoint Theatre, where I estate and someone whom I Murray Lynch boys challenge Firpo to a race was working in the ‘70s. I saw now interact with regularly in Director the following Sunday. Bruce perform the work several my capacity as Director The boy spends the week in a times. Interestingly, during his of Playmarket and the agent daze, hoping and praying for early years working at Downstage for Bruce’s work. I am Firpo to win. The day of the Theatre, Colin McColl had grateful to these women race dawns, and history runs also stage managed Bruce’s for their support. its course. Some weeks later, performances of the play. when the boy goes to visit Firpo and finds him gone, the child realises that the summer — like his childhood — is quite at an end. A PERSONAL NOTE By Rebecca Mason My father wrote THE END OF I was considered old enough ordinary casual clothes, he was THE GOLDEN WEATHER in the to understand it. THE END OF able to create multiple characters late 50s, when he was looking THE GOLDEN WEATHER has with joy and gusto. If the phrase for a new direction for his work. coloured my thinking since then “over the top” had been coined It seems to me now to have been – a play about a New Zealand in those days, he wouldn’t have an extraordinarily brave thing for childhood seen many times been afraid of being it; he went him to have done, in a country during my childhood.