Bell Shakespeare will present a series of debates to take place around the country and available virtually to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary year. The Bell Debates will bring together high-profile Australians from a range of industries to debate direct quotes from Shakespeare, addressing and tackling ideas from his plays in the context of our modern world. The first debate on Thursday 24 September will be livestreamed at 7.30pm from Sydney’s Carriageworks via Bell Shakespeare’s website on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis.

With two teams of three debating for and against, the debates will provide a forum to demonstrate the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s ideas and his unique ability to provoke thought and discussion about the human experience. The first debate will focus on the line “We have seen better days” from As You Like It, a particularly relevant idea to discuss in light of the current situation. Debaters will include team captains Benjamin Law and Jane Caro AM alongside Jess Scully, Jan Fran, Jonathan Biggins and Miriam Corowa. The event will be moderated by Bell Shakespeare Board Member Rebecca Huntley, one of Australia’s foremost social researchers, and hosted by Artistic Director Peter Evans.

Image: Bell Shakespeare’s As You Like It (2015) (c) Rush.