The end of the golden weather
the court theatre, christchurch
3 May – 7 June
Bruce Mason’s seminal work, The End of the Golden Weather, will officially open on 3 May preceded by a special gala performance on 2 May —marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The Court Theatre.
Headlining this remarkable production is none other than Sir Ian Mune, a long-time friend of the late Bruce Mason and the director of the award-winning 1991 film adaptation of The End of the Golden Weather —a pivotal milestone in bringing our stories to life on stage and screen.
James Kupa (Ngāti Kahungunu) will play the pivotal role of Boy. Audiences will remember his brilliant performance as Hercule Poirot in The Court Theatre’s sold-outproduction of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express last year. His credits include Frankenstein, The Girl on the Train, A Streetcar Named Desire (Circa Theatre), and Dungeons & Comedians (Little Andromeda). On television, he has appeared in The Brokenwood Mysteries, Agent Anna, and Nothing Trivial.
Joining the cast is Mark Hadlow ONZ, one of New Zealand’s most prolific actors. Fresh from the sold-out season of MAMIL 2: GOMIL (Grumpy Old Man In Lycra), Mark has also been entertaining audiences for over four decades. His impressive credits include Peter Jackson’s King Kong and The Hobbit trilogy, as well as Mr & Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road, with director Lara Macgregor, at The Court Theatre last year.
From acting royalty, Anna McPhail—daughter of the late David McPhail—joins the ensemble. Her theatre credits include Proof, King Lear, Hamlet, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Celebrated playwright and actor Gregory Cooper (MAMIL, GOMIL) also stars, alongside Sela Faletolu-Fasi (Fresh Off The Boat, Matai), Kathleen Burns (Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Rent, Ladies Night), Reylene Hilaga (The Littlest Ninja, Thumbelina Around the World in 80 Days) and Nick Tipa (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The World’s First Lovers, Romeo and Juliet).
The final member of the ensemble is Dr Alison Walls, The Court Theatre’s own Artistic Director. An accomplished actor and director, she previously served as producer and administrator for the Wellington Summer Shakespeare Trust (2009–2012) and spent a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Theatre and Performance Studies Department at Governors State University, Illinois.
A must-see theatrical event
This highly anticipated production promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, celebrating New Zealand’s rich theatrical history and the resilience of The Court Theatre. Don’t miss the chance to witness this legendary cast bring Bruce Mason’s iconic story to life in a stunning new venue.
Secure your tickets now and be part of history!
FULL CAST IS
Narrator: Sir Ian Mune
Boy: James Kupa
Ensemble – Mark Hadlow, Anna McPhail, Gregory Cooper, Sela Faletolu-Fasi, Dr Alison Walls, Kathleen Burns, Reylene Hilaga, Nick Tipa
Director – Lara Macgregor