It’s Golden Hour at Circa Theatre.

Through the big red doors kissed by the last rays of the setting sun, is a one-man play, performed by Stephen Lovatt. This is part of a double-feature at Circa, with alternate plays being shown almost daily over the next couple of weeks. Tonight, it’s The End of the Golden Weather, a classic play about the quintessential Kiwi childhood experience.

Director Shane Bosher has gone for a minimalist set, with a single off-centre stool against a crumpled backdrop of brown paper. At first, it feels barebones, like we’re supposed to be solely focused on Lovatt’s heartfelt performance, but as the lighting subtly changes over the course of the play, it reveals hidden atmospheres in its creases. One second the background looks like tall mountains that make the child characters feel miniscule, other times it looks like a beach of coarse sand stretching into the distance. Sometimes there’s the hint of a restless ocean that ratchets up the tension without you realising. It’s the perfect example of vibing without distraction.

And that really is because the focus of tonight is entirely on Stephen Lovatt, who plays all characters, narration and, at times, sound effects. This guys is like, an actor actor. From before the play’s even started, he’s pulled the audience in with his charming smile and down-to-earth attitude. He’s holding the doors open for the audience to walk in. That’s crazy grounded. Throughout the play, he continues this trend of drawing in the crowd with great moments of tension as he builds up his emotional climaxes, and has expert timing on when to release it. At no point does it feel like Lovatt is performing at us. He’s truly listening to his audience, and connecting with them as the play unfolds. He treats moments of gravity with the weight they deserve but is never afraid to delve into a cheekier persona to allow the audience to have a chuckle.

There are even moments where he seems taken aback at how much the audience is giggling. And you can see so clearly on his face how delighted he is to have made it happen. The play has a lot of funny moments that are precisely times to release tension when required. The subject matter can be, at times, intense, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a quick laugh here and there. A brief assessment of the room tells me I’m the youngest person in the almost sold-out theatre, but Lovatt’s still somehow got this 50-something-year-old crowd tittering like schoolchildren.

And isn’t that what this play is about? It’s designed to take its audience back to their childhoods and find joy in reminiscence, even in the hardships. It’s about looking back at failures and the times as a child when you thought your world was in ruins and seeing the aroha that those around you gave to support you through it. No- no childhood is perfect, but even in imperfection, there is beauty.

The End of the Golden Weather as performed by Stephen Lovatt is a cozy evening spent best with a mug of chocolate and nostalgia goggles firmly set on your nose. It’s a journey into a shared past. The one-man aspect works brilliantly to both showcase Lovatt’s insane acting talent and illustrate that this small town truly is a unified entity.

Oh, and the guy’s from Shortland Street, that’s pretty cool.

Disclosure: As a somewhat active member of the Wellington performing arts community, I may be quite familiar with a number of the performers in this show. Having said that, I am not a liar, and there is zero bias in my reviews, shut up.

Also, tickets were provided to me for free by the production. Literally changes nothing, though.