Written and performed by Shadon Meredith (Shortland Street), Waiting is an evocative coming-of-age story that celebrates beat poetry. A love letter written to Shadon’s son, Arlo, Waiting takes the audience through a journey of his life and breaks down the human condition of waiting. The insights are personal, and reflective of cultural challenges faced by those navigating identity as a minority race in Aotearoa.
$25 - $45
60 minutes, no interval
26 - 30 September 2023
Waiting is an evocative coming-of-age story that celebrates beat poetry. Written and performed by Shadon Meredith (Shortland Street, King Lear), it is a love letter written to his son, taking the audience through a journey of his life and breaking down the human condition of waiting.
Growing up as a Sāmoan New Zealander, the insights are both personal and reflective of cultural challenges faced by those who are navigating identity as a minority race in Aotearoa New Zealand. Waiting is an honest and raw look at how life can take us on twists and turns and will leave you musing your own life story - sparking reflection on moments lost, relationships built, and decisions made.
"Waiting ends with Shadon speaking the single word "breathe”, and then the lights dim and I feel like I really do need to take a breath, to feel and experience everything that I’ve just seen... The performance is polished, from the use of lighting to communicate context and the range of colours to convey emotion, to the bare but symbolic setting. This demonstrates the care with which Amelia Reid-Meredith has directed Waiting. Shadon, in my opinion, is an undeniable acting talent. Taika Waititi – if you are reading this, Shadon needs a big film role!" - Ataria Sharman, The Pantograph Punch
Creative Team: Presented by: Sos & Sha Creative in collaboration with Q Theatre Written & Performed by: Shadon Meredith Director: Amelia Reid-Meredith Creative Producers: Theresa Adams & Ruth Evans Lighting Design & Technical Operator: Peter Davison Dramaturg: Renee Lyons Sound Design & Composition: Brandon Haru Choreography: Sarah Foster-Sproull
Acknowledgements: Q Theatre Creative New Zealand
Audience Warnings: Recommended PG 13. Contains content that could trigger emotional distress (e.g. references to suicide and domestic violence).
By Paula Vogel.
The Milford Asset Management Season.
An absurd, funny, and unflinching exploration of family, identity, and the ties that both bind and break us – a modern American classic.
When Aotearoa’s finest creatives stand with rangatahi, stories come alive. In one week, they craft waiata, rap, dance, and movement. Honest, fearless, full of rangatahi energy. One stage.
Celebrate Diwali in the city with Ranggheli: The Bhavai Saga — 75 minutes of colourful Gujarati folk theatre, music, and laughter, plus food and festivities for a perfect night out.
