An Evening with the Playwrights

Join the titans of theatre for an evening of conversation on the pleasures of writing about truth, lies and public lives.  

During his illustrious career, playwright, screenwriter and film and theatre director Sir David Hare (Skylight, The Hours) has examined the machinations of British institutions, deftly crafting stories about modern life that balance the personal with the political. 

Sir David will join us live in conversation with one of Australia’s great writers, Don Watson (The Passion of Private White and many other titles) at State Library Victoria’s Conversation Quarter. 

Following a short intermission, we will present the Victorian premiere screening of an intimate and illuminating conversation between legendary playwright, Sir Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead) and his biographer, Dame Hermione Lee, moderated by Stoppard aficionado Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

Refreshments available to purchase from 6.30pm. Events starts 6.45pm.

Please note: the Tom Stoppard screening is pre-recorded. 

Presented in partnership with Adelaide Writers' Week. 

About Sir David Hare

Sir David Hare has written more than 60 stage plays and screenplays for film and television. In a poll of the greatest plays of the 20th century, 5 of the top 100 were his. His works include Plenty, The Secret Rapture, Racing Demon, Skylight, Amy’s View, The Blue Room, Via Dolorosa, Stuff Happens, The Absence of War and more recently, Straight Line Crazy which featured Ralph Fiennes on Broadway. For cinema, he has written screenplays for The Hours, The Reader, Damage, Denial and The White Crow, among others; for television his works include Licking Hitler, The Worricker Trilogy, Collateral and Roadkill.  

About Don Watson

Author, screenwriter, former political advisor and speechwriter Don Watson is one of Australia’s great writers. His works include Caledonia Australis, The Passion of Private White, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart, American Journeys, The Bush, Watsonia and The Story of Australia. 

About Sir Tom Stoppard

Sir Tom Stoppard was only 29 when his first major play, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, was staged at the National Theatre in 1967. In a legendary career spanning over 50 years, he has written for film, television, radio and theatre, with credits including Travesties, Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, Leopoldstadt, Shakespeare in Love and Brazil.