The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.

Thursday 12 November 2020, 7.30pm AEDT

Presented by Bell Shakespeare in association with the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra 

Shakespeare’s work spans the highs and lows of human existence, from hilarious comedies to dark tragedies. His views are just as witty and perceptive today as they were four hundred years ago.

As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, Bell Shakespeare is hosting a series of debates that address and tackle ideas from Shakespeare’s plays, in the context of our modern world.

The second debate in the series, streamed live from the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, will explore the pertinent and timely quote from Julius Caesar: “The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Bruce Meagher and Minister for the Arts the Honourable Paul Fletcher MP, who participated in the original Bell Debates, are joined by Virginia Haussegger AM, Mark Kenny (Australian Studies Institute, ANU), Amy Remeikis and Phyllida Behm. Our stellar debaters will form two teams and go head-to-head in a debate that will address, challenge and (hopefully) inspire the way we see our world today.

Join Bell Shakespeare to watch the debate live at 7.30pm AEDT on 12 November 2020.

We encourage you to register for a free ticket so that you receive an email reminder with a link to watch the live stream.

About the Speakers:

Phyllida Behm is a recent graduate from the Australian National University. As part of a Bachelor of Arts/Law, she majored in Philosophy and completed Honours in law. While studying, Phyllida held roles in legal administration and research. During her time at university she also participated in debating and public speaking and volunteered for youth-led NGOs and community legal centres. She has a keen interest in women’s workforce participation and runs a women’s mentoring program at the ANU. Phyllida is looking forward to starting an associateship with a Federal Court judge in 2021.

Paul Fletcher MP is the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts in the Morrison Government. A member of parliament since 2009, Paul was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications in September 2013; Minister for Major Projects, Territories, and Local Government in September 2015; Minister for Urban Infrastructure in July 2016; Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities in December 2017; Minister for Families and Social Services in August 2018 and was appointed to his present role in May 2019.

Virginia Haussegger AM is an award-winning broadcast journalist and social commentator on women, power and the challenges of 21st century leadership. Her extensive media career spans 30 years, in which she has reported around the globe for primetime current affair programs on Channel 7, the 9 Network, and ABC TV. She anchored the ABC’s flagship TV News in Canberra from 2001-2016. She is Chair and Founding Director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation at the University of Canberra. A passionate advocate for women’s rights and gender equity, Virginia served six years on the board of UN Women Australia.

Mark Kenny is currently Professor at the ANU’s Australian Studies Institute, with research interests across national politics, comparative studies, democracy and the rise of populism. He joined the Institute after a high-profile career as a journalist, including six years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times. Mark is a regular on the ABC’s Insiders and Sky News’ Agenda, as well as a sought-after commentator on radio programs across the country. He is a long-time member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery committee, and a director of the National Press Club.

Bruce Meagher was a champion school and university debater, who was a stalwart of the original Bell Shakespeare debating series in the 1990s and early 2000s. He has also regularly appeared in debates for the Mardi Gras Festival and numerous charities. He is currently Senior Executive Leader Corporate Affairs at ASIC. Bruce is also Chair of the Board of Griffin Theatre Company, which has partnered with Bell Shakespeare on productions including The Literati and The Misanthrope. 

Amy Remeikis is Guardian Australia’s political correspondent. She has covered federal politics, Queensland politics, crime, court and garden shows during her career, working for radio and newspapers, most recently for Fairfax Media. She is also a regular contributor to the Project, Insiders, The Drum and more. She was an inaugural nominee of the Young Walkley awards.