End of Summer Time

After a sold-out six-week season in 2024, End of Summer Time, returns for a strictly limited two-week season.

Life teaches an old dog new tricks.

Sir Roger Hall’s booked out show briefly returns. End of Summer Times re-introduces lovable curmudgeon with a heart of gold, Dickey Hart. Rugby fanatic Dickey, first entertained audiences in the late 90’s in Come On Black which toured the country to sellout crowds. Dickey Hart reappeared in the 2013 You’ve Got to be Joking and his change of lifestyle, going from the country into town, again kept us highly amused.

Now it is 2023. Older now, Dickey has moved into an Auckland apartment with wife Glenda…to be nearer the grandchildren. He tries valiantly and hilariously to confront life in the great big, bad city and very funny, sticky situations abound.

Then, suddenly Covid strikes and Dickey finds himself isolated and starting to go downhill. Thankfully he rallies … a little older and a lot wiser …and so a positive, enlightened future can now be enjoyed by the valiant, resilient Dickey and by crikey he gives it heaps! Because even this crusty old dog can learn new tricks.

Sir Roger Hall, one of New Zealand’s most successful and popular playwrights has been making us laugh for over five decades with hit comedies such as: Glide Time, Spreading Out, Four Flat Whites in Italy, Who Wants to Be a Hundred, Last Legs. Now he pens another winner!

Actor Gavin Rutherford ensures Dickey Hart is truthful, likeable and funny. After all, he played the character brilliantly back in 2011 and has been the iconic “Dame” in countless Circa Pantomimes. Ross Jolly has also directed six of Hall’s sold out Circa productions.

Authors note: This play takes place during the years 2019 – 2023.

The 2024 audience said:
“Great writing and acting, poignant and funny”
“I thought it was one of the best plays I had been to in ages. Gavin Rutherford was excellent”
“Just absolutely loved the show…. could have gone again!”
‘’Gavin is a star and Roger Hall’s writing is superb. Wonderful in every way’’


Thurs 27 March – Sun 13 April
Circa Two
Tues – Sat 7.30pm, Sun 4.30pm
$30–$60

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes plus a 15 mins interval (approximately).