ROGER HALL’S

END OF SUMMERTIME

Friday, May 8

Te Whare o Rukutia

The challenges of shifting to Auckland to be nearer to family are explored with wit and gentle, relatable humour in Roger Hall’s new one-man play End of Summertime .

In a production staged by local theatre company Glorious Ruins and directed by Karen Elliot, veteran Dunedin actor Peter Hayden uses all of his considerable skill and charm to hold the audience in the palm of his hand.

End of Summertime returns to much-loved curmudgeonly Hall character Dickie Hart — a retired farmer and rugby fanatic, dragged reluctantly to Auckland in 2019 by his wife Glenda to be closer to the grandchildren.

And worse yet, the couple move from a large house into a "sea view" apartment — no outdoors and no garden for Dickie.

So, while Glenda is busy, attending exercise classes, socialising with friends and taking part in book club, Dickie must try to find his feet.

And try he does, exploring nearby Takapuna Beach, making a friend of his own and joining the…