This week, a special Q+A with Stan Grant live from Sydney and a stellar panel of performers and thinkers.

In this year’s ABC Boyer lectures, Shakespeare: Soul of the Age, actor and theatre director John Bell argues Shakespeare’s works still have profound relevance to contemporary political issues, but is great art always relevant? Bell’s lectures cover four main themes and on Q+A we take a closer look at each of them: corruption and leadership, gender inequality, the influence of social media, and what makes for a good life.

With populism and authoritarianism on the rise around the world, where are the examples of good leadership? Have we been served well in these times of pandemic and conflict by our leaders? Is National Cabinet working? How toxic is the predominance of social media in our lives? Has outrage become an addiction? Are universities and schools the new battleground for the culture wars? How far have we come in the struggle for gender equality and were any of Shakespeare’s female leads a sort of feminist prototype?

As well as these philosophical musings, we’ll debate, as always, the major issues of the week. 

Joining Stan Grant on the panel:

John Bell, Founding Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare
Nakkiah Lui, Writer, actor, and director and Gamillaroi/Torres Strait Islander woman
Paul McDermott, Satirist and entertainer
Bri Lee, Author, academic and activist
Tim Dean, Philosopher and author

With a closing performance from Zahra Newman, who stars in Sydney Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Julius Caesar.
 
Please submit a question via our website by 9am Thursday for the chance to ask the panel.

Scroll down to watch Thursday's toughest question asked by Lesleyanne Hawthorne, who wanted why it was taking so long for the Federal Government to announce its climate policy. 👇

Watch Q+A Thursday at 8.30pm on ABC TV, streamed live 8.30pm AEST on ABC iview or on our website.