Legendary writers unite at State Library Victoria this March

In partnership with Adelaide Writers’ Week, three renowned wordsmiths are coming to State Library Victoria on March 7 for An Evening with the Playwrights.

The night of conversations will start with world-renowned British playwright, screenwriter, and director Sir David Hare and Australian author, screenwriter, and former political advisor and speechwriter Don Watson, speaking on the pleasures of writing about truth, lies and public lives.

Following this, an exclusive screening of a recent interview with Oscar-winning screenwriter and playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, and his biographer Dame Hermione Lee will be shown.

As a one-night only special, State Library Victoria board member and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne Maxine McKew has said bringing “audiences a trio of dramatic and literary talent” will be one not to miss.

“In coronation year, what else would the State Library do but bring together two knights and a dame?” Ms McKew, who will also be moderating the event, said.

“It promises to be an unmissable opportunity to hear from some of the English-speaking world’s great wordsmiths. State Library Victoria is Melbourne’s home of literature, culture and ideas and we can’t wait to hear from these foremost dramatists on politics, public lives and the power of theatre.”

Sir David Hare has written more than 60 stage plays and screenplays for film and television, with his most recent works including Straight Line Crazy (2022) and Beat the Devil (2021).

In a career spanning many years, Sir Tom Stoppard has been writing for film, television, radio and theatre for 50 years, with his first major play Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead being staged at the National Theatre when he was only 29.

Don Watson on the other hand is commonly known for his time as a former speechwriter for Prime Minister Paul Keating, but his bestselling books also speak for themselves, and his latest work is that of the book The Passion of Private White (2022).

An Evening with the Playwrights will begin from 6.30pm, and tickets will need to be booked online through State Library Victoria’s website.

slv.vic.gov.au