Behind the Curtain: Accent Coaching on End of Summer
What a privilege it’s been to work as the Accent Coach on End of Summer, a new play by the legendary Sir Roger Hall, starring the brilliant Andrew Grainger and directed by Alison Quigan.
This one-man show, performed at Auckland Theatre Company’s ASB Waterfront Theatre, is funny, heartfelt, and completely captivating. And being involved behind the scenes, helping shape the vocal work for such a rich and complex character, was an absolute highlight of my coaching career.
About the Show
End of Summer follows the story of Dickie Hart – a once-famous actor now retired and living in a rest home. It’s a role that demands both great comedic timing and genuine emotional depth, and Andrew delivers on both fronts. The play is cleverly written, beautifully staged, and as reviews have shown, it leaves a real impact.
Critical Praise
“A magnificent one-man performance… Grainger works the full gamut of emotions, from hilarity to heartbreak.”
– Theatreview
“A brilliant and sustained piece of comedy… and tragedy.”
– NZ Arts Review
“Grainger is exceptional… his comedic chops are on full display, but it’s the subtle humanity that brings tears in the second act.”
– Red Raven News
“The audience laughed, sighed, and sniffed into their sleeves. A masterclass in character work and delivery.”
– BusinessDesk
Reading these reviews, it’s clear that the performance connected with people – and that’s exactly what we aim for with accent coaching. It’s not just about sounding ‘correct’; it’s about helping an actor fully embody their character, vocally and emotionally.
Crafting Dickie Hart’s Voice
When Andrew and I worked together, our focus was on grounding the character’s voice in authenticity – a man who’s lived a full, complicated life, full of highs and lows.
We leaned into a relaxed, slightly worn vocal quality, with a lightly regional tone that suited his background and made his delivery feel real. We worked on pacing, emotional nuance, and the subtle changes in pitch and rhythm that bring a monologue like this to life.
The play’s mix of sharp humour and quiet grief meant the voice had to carry a huge emotional range – and Andrew handled it brilliantly. It was my job to help give him the vocal tools to move between those moments seamlessly.
A Glimpse On Stage
You can watch a brilliant behind-the-scenes preview of End of Summer via RNZ here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/culture/524881/roger-hall-brings-the-curtain-down-with-his-final-play-end-of-summer
Final Thoughts
Accent coaching isn’t just about sounds – it’s about character, storytelling, and helping actors feel fully connected to their role. This show was a beautiful example of all of that coming together, and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of it.
If you’re an actor preparing for a stage role, a screen audition, or even a one-person show like End of Summer, I’d love to help you bring your character’s voice to life.
Sarah Valentine
Accent & Dialect Coach
www.actorsaccentcoach.com
