RECKŌNING - Te Waiata Paihere Wairua

By Beat Entertainment

A powerful celebration of Indigenous culture through storytelling, original songs, and dance

Reckoning is a 1-hour show depicting the intertwining of Indigenous culture through storytelling, original songs and dance, tackling the modern-day effects of racism and intergenerational trauma.

Employing strong visuals projected on screen, emotionally charged song, deeply personal story telling and genuine raw emotions of anger, grief, sadness and joy, Reckoning leads its audience through a process of truth-telling and truth-accepting that subtly triggers states of empathy and understanding, whilst the music uplifts the audience.

This is achieved by presenting the themes of the show in a visually beautiful way with original costuming, symbolic staging, a bright engaging colour pallet, atmospheric lighting and environment, inspiring lyrics in language and an utterly dance-worthy contemporary sound by Samuel Gaskin and The Merindas.

This show is a recognition of past injustices, a journey through understanding, and a celebration of Indigenous cultures survival, creativity and strength.

Winner of 4 Melbourne Fringe Awards, Reckoning is about:

• • Reclaiming our power;

• • Reconnecting with our Ancestry;

• • Rediscovering our indigenous blood lines; and

• • Reclaiming the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten – and been made to forget.

News & Reviews

• “Delights every one of the senses for those lucky enough to witness it.” – Rolling Stone

• “A work like Reckoning is rare. It’s full of heart and respect and musicality and guts and that’s why it’s so impactful. I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards. It’s a work with resonance far beyond its own words and melodies.” – Simon Abrahams, CEO & Creative Director, Melbourne Fringe

• “Reckoning is a powerful, innovative and compelling work that takes the audience on a deeply engaging journey and showcases the amazing talents both of its creators, Samuel Gaskin and Johnny Hamilton, and of their incredible team of performers and creatives. It is a moving and significant work which will have an important and powerful impact on audiences.” – John Foreman OAM

• “The real joy however of Reckoning is its original music, blend of different art forms and authentic storytelling.” - Broadway World

• “My praise for this performance exceeds the words that I can truly use to do it justice. It is raw and emotional and so powerful in many ways.” – Theatre Travels

Awards

• Nominated for 4 Melbourne Fringe Awards

Cast and creatives

Creative Team

Company name
Beat Entertainment

Producer
Samuel Gaskin & Johnny Hamilton

Director
Samuel Gaskin

Co-Director
Michala Banas

Creative Direction
Samuel Gaskin & Johnny Hamilton

Choreography
Samuel Gaskin

Stage Design:
Johnny Hamilton

Costume Design
Johnny Hamilton & Asha Sym

Soundscape Production
Candice Lorrae & Samuel Gaskin

Make Up Design
Ben Dniprowskij

Sound Mix
Candice Lorrae