Curious at Sydney Opera House brings together diverse voices, ideas and personal stories in an engaging day of conversation, culture and discovery.
It was the calm after the storm on a clear spring day on Sunday, 4 October. Many people gathered on the Opera House Forecourt to see an art installation and lots of families gathered inside the Opera Houe foyer for some school holiday fun. There was also a large bunch of thinkers who came together to listen to the speakers at the “Curious” Festival.
The festival was one co-presented with Sydney University. It was programmed by Chip Rolley, who is in charge of talks at the iconic venue. Rolley previously worked for the Sydney Writer’s Festival and the line-up predominantly included discussions that took place on 4 October, with a further event planned for November.
The line-up was a very diverse one boasting both international and homegrown talent. The idea was that this was to be a gathering for people to come together to engage and listen to a wide array of topics. These ranged from political talks to revealing personal stories involving family. I attended the two events below:
Magda Szubanski: I Can’t Tell You, But I Will with Fran Kelly
I confess I saw Magda Szubanski do a talk at Melbourne Writer’s Festival when she debuted her first memoir, “Reckoning.” I have been a bit fan of her comedy works over the years, whether it was playing Sharon Strzelecki in “Kath & Kim” or in the old days on “Fast Forward.” It was only logical I should be here for the launch of her second memoir.
The show was an exclusive one for Sydney. In the audience were Peter Fitzsimons and Lisa Wilkinson. While Szubanski’s debut memoir had focused on her father’s incredible story (no spoilers here), this latest one was about her Scottish-Irish mother, Margaret. Szubanski even delivered a hilarious story about bonding with actor, Maggie Smith, over Scottish mams. As you do…
Magda is an incredibly warm, funny, and charismatic performer. It was annoying that host and radio presenter, Fran Kelly was forever butting in and cutting off Szubanski. A campaigner for same-sex marriage and a cancer survivor, you could really feel the love in the Concert Hall for the star of the show. Heck, she even led us in a cheeky Irish jig and provided so many hilarious moments. Magda received a very well-deserved standing ovation at the end which basically sums up the sentiment felt for her heartfelt talk.
Bonfire of the Murdochs- Gabriel Sherman talks to Janine Perrett
Vanity Fair correspondent and author, Gabriell Sherman was in conversation with Australian journalist, Janine Perrett, in the Drama Theatre shortly after Magda’s performance. It was a more political discussion, but a fascinating one as Sherman described his many years writing about powerful men. You got the sense that he leads a far more humbler, modest life than his many colourful subjects.
Sherman has been referred to as the “Chronicler of Assholes” and it’s easy to see why. He wrote about disgraced Fox News chairman, Roger Ailes, and the sexual harassment the latter perpetuated before it became a widespread story. He even cut his teeth as a property writer interviewing one Donald Trumpt when the latter was between bankruptcies and before “The Apprentice” and becoming US president.
The majority of the talk was for Sherman to publicise his book, “Bonfire of the Murdochs.” It’s a story that may be familiar with some audiences thanks to the TV show, “Succession.” There has also been quite a lot of media coverage in the aftermath of Project Harmony, a fallout that occurred when a bid for Rupert Murdoch’s legacy was challenged by his children.
Sherman’s talk was an informative one. He was very articulate and great at summarising the people he’d chronicled over the years. “Perhaps the best line was when Sherman described Murdoch as someone who wanted to build a family company but, in the end, it was a company that destroyed his family.
“Curious” at Sydney Opera Housse was ultimately an engaging line-up of different speakers. The gathering was one that suited the warm, spring day with its diverse chorus of fabulous voices. We need more events like these in our current climate of disinformation so that people can restore their sense of curiosity and passion for learning…and if nothing else to take a break away from their horrible screens. Bring on next year…
Review By: Natalie Salvo