The End of the Golden Weather

On Christmas Day, Aucklanders once again have the chance to view a free performance from the Kiwi classic The End of the Golden Weather in what is now a holiday tradition. The scene from Bruce Mason’s play will be performed at Takapuna Beach Reserve, with donations collected for Oxfam.

After seven years, event organiser and playwright, Roger Hall’s hopes of the event becoming an annual fixture on the community Christmas calendar have been realised, and this year he expects crowds of between 300 and 500 people.
“People love it; some come from as far as Waiheke to attend. One of the great pleasures I get is seeing people meet old friends,” said Hall. “They arrive early and catch up with each other and exchange Christmas greetings. Some stay on afterwards and have a Christmas barbecue.”

The End of the Golden Weather is set at the fictional Te Parenga beach in the 1930s, where two boys experience the excitement of Christmas day. It explores the exhilaration and apprehension as they wait for the day, the church service, present-giving and Christmas dinner.

The Reserve is the perfect setting for the event, said Hall, Te Parenga is based on Takapuna Beach where Bruce Mason was brought up. . Actor Stephen Lovatt will again perform the narrative piece solo. Thanks in part to the support from Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, The End of the Golden Weather will be performed free to the public. However, donations can be made at the event and gifted to Lovatt's charity of choice, Oxfam. In the spirit of Christmas-giving, Lovatt will also again donate his acting fee to the charity.

If weather conditions are unfavourable, the scene will be performed in the nearby War Memorial community hall on The Strand, near the Takapuna Library.

A scene from the The End of Golden Weather, 10am, Takapuna Beach Reserve, Auckland.