MTC to Host David Hare in Conversation with Julian Burnside

Internationally renowned, multi award-winning writer David Hare will join Julian Burnside to talk politics, public institutions, art and the writing life on Sunday 1 May at Southbank Theatre.

Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company and the Wheeler Centre ahead of MTC's revival of Hare's acclaimed play Skylight, this special event is a rare opportunity to hear from the playwright and director about his extraordinary career.

MTC Artistic Director Brett Sheehy said, 'This very special event marks the first time we've worked with the Wheeler Centre and we are delighted to be co-presenting such an exciting public talk. Without a doubt, David Hare is one of the most significant voices in contemporary writing and Julian Burnside possesses one of the most outstanding minds in Australia. The two of them in conversation is going to be an afternoon of compelling discussion and the perfect prelude to our upcoming production of Skylight.'

Director of the Wheeler Centre, Michael Williams said, 'We're so used to enjoying the offerings of MTC as colleagues, friends and audience members, that the opportunity to work with them to produce a unique event for Melbourne audiences felt like a no-brainer. This collaboration will make sure that prior to the upcoming run of Skylight, theatre-lovers can gain an insight into the ideas, imagination and craft of one of the great writers of our time.'

During his illustrious career, David Hare has written more than 30 plays and received two Academy Awards nominations for screenplay adaptations of The Hours and The Reader. Last year, he published The Blue Touch Paper, a memoir that tells of the early days of his career in rapidly changing post-war Britain.

It was anger and idealism that compelled David Hare to found his first drama troupe back in the 1960s. The youthful righteousness may have faded, but certain currents have remained strong throughout his oeuvre. In his plays, including Racing Demon and Murmuring Judges, Hare has continued to turn his piercing gaze on the dominant institutions of his country - from the Church of England, to the Labour party and the British justice system.

In June 2016, MTC is staging Hare's Skylight, a contemporary classic that blends the personal with political as estranged lovers reunite and realise that just as quickly as old passion sparks, their opposing ideologies and mutual desires are as incompatible and self-destructing as ever. Directed by Dean Bryant and starring Colin Friels, Anna Samson and Toby Wallace, Skylight opens on Thursday 23 June at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.

David Hare in conversation with Julian Burnside
Sunday 1 May 2016, 2pm - 3pm
Southbank Theatre, The Sumner
Tickets $20
mtc.com.au/DavidHare

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