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Event Details

An Evening With Sir David Hare

1 March 2023
6.30pm – 7.30pm AEDT
Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Sydney
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David Hare

David Hare | Jo Dyer

“The ultimate tendency of civilisation is towards barbarism” – David Hare 

Good theatre holds a mirror up to society, forcing audiences to shine a light on the darkest corners and recesses of society. In these tumultuous times, it’s easy to wonder where is our world headed, and how we might navigate the new obstacles that arise when we get there?  

Fortunately, British playwright Sir David Hare, is no stranger to pondering these mind bending questions. During his illustrious career he has written over 30 plays often examining the machinations of British politics and institutions, and its these plays that have seen him named, “the premier political dramatist writing in English” by The Washington Post.  

So how has writing shaped Sir David Hare’s vision for where society is headed? And how might creativity unlock a way to adapt to what the future holds? Join Sir David Hare for an evening of conversation with theatre producer Jo Dyer about his remarkable career as a playwright, and his creative plans for the future.

This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture and Adelaide Writers’ Week.  
 



LIVE EVENT & VENUE INFORMATION

Leighton Hall is located inside the John Niland Scientia Building at UNSW Sydney's Kensington campus. Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.   

To ensure the health and safety of all patrons, face masks are recommended and please do not attend the event if you feel unwell.
 



TICKETS

 

 

 



ACCESS

Wheelchair Access
The closest accessible drop off point to Leighton Hall is at Botany Street, Gate 11. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.

Assisted Listening
Leighton Hall has a hearing loop. Patrons wishing to utilise this need to simply switch their hearing aid to the T (Telecoil) setting to pick up on the wireless signal. Additionally, there is a Hearing Aid Loop Roger™ MyLink System. A Roger inductive neckloop receiver is required for any hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil – these are available from the venue staff.

Auslan & Captioning 
Auslan interpreting services and/or live captioning can be provided for selected talks upon request. 

To discuss access requirements and book selected services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au
 



PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING

Leighton Hall (John Niland Scientia Building) is easily accessible via public transport. For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

The closest parking station to Leighton Hall is the Barker Street Parking Station (N18). Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’. For more information head here
 


 



CONTACT 

For all enquiries, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au

The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for 02 9065 0485. 

Speakers
David Hare

David Hare

David Hare was described by The Washington Post as “the premiere political dramatist writing in English”. He has written over 30 stage plays and 30 screenplays for film and television. The plays include Plenty, Pravda (with Howard Brenton), The Secret Rapture, Racing Demon, Skylight, Amy’s View, The Blue Room, Via Dolorosa, Stuff Happens, The Absence of War, The Judas Kiss and Straight Line Crazy. For cinema, he has written The Hours, The Reader, Damage, Denial, Wetherby and The White Crow among others, while his television films include Licking Hitler, The Worricker Trilogy, Collateral and Roadkill. In a millennial poll of the greatest plays of the 20th century, five of the top 100 were his. 

Jo Dyer

Jo Dyer

Jo Dyer is a writer and literary curator, and producer of film and theatre. Through her production company Soft Tread Enterprises, she has created and presented theatre projects across Australia, Europe, the US and India in venues including the Sydney Opera House, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai and the legendary Tropicana in Las Vegas. She has held significant roles in the Australian cultural industry, including as Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week, CEO of Sydney Writers’ Festival, General Manager of Bangarra Dance Theatre and Executive Producer of Sydney Theatre Company. Jo is also a two-time AACTA nominee for Best Film for her debut film, Lucky Miles (Michael James Rowland) (2007) and Girl Asleep (Rosemary Myers) (2016). Her films have screened in cinemas and at Festivals and won awards worldwide, most notably at the Berlin International Film Festival. Jo is a regular contributor to the Chaser’s The Shot and her first book, Burning Down the House: Deconstructing Modern Politics, was published in February 2022 by Monash University Publishing. 

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