If 70,000 people laughing at a man in cycling lycra sounds like a niche proposition, think again. MAMIL – Middle Aged Man in Lycra – became one of New Zealand’s most successful theatrical productions, and its long-awaited sequel GOMIL (Grumpy Old Man in Lycra) toured Hamilton in 2025, playing at the Clarence St Theatre on 26 September 2025.
The creative team that made MAMIL a phenomenon is back. Writer and director Gregory Cooper (MAMIL, That Bloody Woman) and starring Mark Hadlow ONZM (King Kong, The Hobbit, SNAG) reunite for a production that picks up the story of Wayne – the cycling group founder from the original – ten years on, and in considerably more complicated circumstances.
For Hamilton audiences, this is both a homecoming and a continuation. Theatreview’s verdict on the original was “Fast-paced and slick” – a description that applies equally to what GOMIL delivered on stage in September 2025.
The Story: What GOMIL Is About
GOMIL follows Wayne at a difficult point in his life. He has retired. His son has moved to London with Wayne’s grandchildren. And Maggie, his wife of 49 years, has passed away suddenly a year before the story begins.
For Wayne, family and work were not just important – they were the structure around which his entire identity was built. With both now gone, he is navigating a kind of purposelessness that the original MAMIL’s cycling comedy never quite reached. GOMIL goes deeper, while keeping the comedy that made the original irresistible.
The Guide’s description is accurate: “GOMIL digs deep into the world of ageing men, fragile egos, friendship, family, and the undeniable need to keep moving – no matter how creaky your knees may be.” It is a show that is funny because it is honest rather than because it is absurd.
Hadlow’s performance is the vehicle for all of this. His comic timing is matched by the emotional depth the material requires – a combination that is, as any Kiwi theatre audience knows, a genuine speciality. The Lisa Allan review from the Christchurch premiere described being “drawn into the world of grumpy, older, lycra-clad men on bikes” from the moment Hadlow begins to speak.
From Christchurch to Hamilton: GOMIL Goes National
GOMIL premiered at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch, where it played to sold-out audiences in February 2025 before embarking on a 14-city national tour. Hamilton was one of those 14 cities, with the show playing Clarence St Theatre on 26 September 2025.
The national tour reflects the extraordinary success of the original. MAMIL played to over 70,000 people across New Zealand – a remarkable number for a single-performer theatrical production in a country of five million people. GOMIL’s tour follows the same principle: take quality New Zealand theatre to New Zealand audiences, city by city, regardless of whether they live in the main centres or not.
The Clarence St Theatre at 69 Clarence Street is Hamilton’s only proscenium arch lyric theatre and is independently owned by the Clarence Street Theatre Trust. With a capacity of up to 550 in theatre seating mode or up to 900 in standing configuration, it is one of Hamilton’s most significant performance spaces – and for a production of this quality, the right venue.
Who Are Gregory Cooper and Mark Hadlow?
Gregory Cooper is one of New Zealand’s most successful theatre writers and directors. MAMIL was his signature work – a production that proved a single performer, a simple premise, and sharp writing could fill theatres across the country. That Bloody Woman, another Cooper production, further established his credentials as a writer who understands how to make New Zealand stories resonate with New Zealand audiences.
Mark Hadlow ONZM is among New Zealand’s most recognisable performing artists. His credits include Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005), where he was part of the core ensemble, and multiple roles across The Hobbit trilogy. SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy) was another successful one-man stage production in his catalogue. He has also worked extensively in New Zealand television and film.
Together, Cooper and Hadlow represent the kind of creative partnership that is rare in any country’s theatre scene: a writer who knows how to write for a specific performer, and a performer who can do what the material demands. MAMIL’s success was a product of that alignment. GOMIL, by all accounts from the Christchurch premiere reviews, delivers it again.
Hamilton’s Theatre Scene
Hamilton’s live performance infrastructure has grown significantly. Alongside the Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton now has the Waikato Regional Theatre – a 1,300-seat world-class performing arts venue that opened in late 2025 at the south end of Victoria Street. This new venue fills the capacity gap between the 550-seat Clarence Street Theatre and the 6,000-seat Globox Arena at Claudelands.
The Clarence Street Theatre remains important in this landscape as the city’s community-owned lyric theatre, programming events that prioritise Hamilton’s cultural experience rather than purely commercial considerations. For a show like GOMIL – quality, nationally relevant, but not a stadium spectacle – it is the right fit.
For those who enjoy the performing arts and want to know what else is coming to Hamilton, Claudelands Events Centre and the H3 events team regularly announce the upcoming event calendar.
FAQs About MAMIL 2: GOMIL Hamilton
What is GOMIL?
GOMIL stands for Grumpy Old Man in Lycra. It is the sequel to MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra), written and directed by Gregory Cooper and starring Mark Hadlow ONZM. GOMIL follows Wayne, the cycling group founder from MAMIL, ten years on after retirement and the death of his wife.
Where did MAMIL 2: GOMIL play in Hamilton?
The Hamilton show played at Clarence St Theatre, 69 Clarence Street, Hamilton, on 26 September 2025.
How many people saw MAMIL?
MAMIL was seen by over 70,000 people across New Zealand, making it one of the most successful theatrical productions in NZ history.
Who wrote and stars in GOMIL?
GOMIL is written and directed by Gregory Cooper (also behind MAMIL and That Bloody Woman). It stars Mark Hadlow ONZM, known for King Kong, The Hobbit, and SNAG.
What is Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton?
Clarence St Theatre at 69 Clarence Street is Hamilton’s only proscenium arch lyric theatre, independently owned by the Clarence Street Theatre Trust. It seats up to 550 in theatre mode.
