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.
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).
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