A difficult conversation is one you’d rather avoid – something that makes you uncomfortable or apprehensive.

It could come from anywhere and be about anything, and, confronting it head-on can be liberating.

Under the thoughtful guidance of our thinker-in-chief, Jane Hutcheon, what begins as a challenge turns into a game-changer.

And it makes for riveting theatre.

Jane will be joined on stage by two sharp minds. Together, they’ll tackle thorny topics with wit, candour, and plenty of honest opinions. They might not have lived experience of every issue they discuss—but they’ll offer perspectives bold enough to make you squirm.

After the interval, the spotlight shifts to the audience, where anonymous questions—no matter how tricky—will be answered with no-nonsense, zero judgment. Anonymity is ensured through electronic means, so embarrassment or hesitation is no issue.

Step into the arena with Jane for a conversation that challenges, surprises, and empowers.

ABOUT JANE HUTCHEON

Jane Hutcheon is a journalist, author and performer.

With more than three decades as a journalist, author, and presenter, Jane is no stranger to difficult conversations.

She reported globally for the ABC as a correspondent in China, the Middle East, and Europe and has hosted Lateline, World at Noon, and Foreign Correspondent. Upon returning to Australia, Jane created and hosted One Plus One, conducting 500 in-depth interviews over nine years on ABC TV.

She is the author of Rebel Talk, the Art of Powerful Conversations and China Baby Love. In 2024 Jane wrote and performed her own theatre show Lost in Shanghai, the story of her mother Beatrice’s turbulent childhood in pre-Communist Shanghai. The show played in Sydney and toured to Darwin, four regional venues in NSW, two in Victoria as well as Burnie and Hobart in Tasmania.

In 2019 Jane toured 21 theatres across Australia and New Zealand with actor Sir David Suchet in his retrospective show, and this is where she discovered that live conversation in theatres produce a magical cocktail of electricity and intimacy.

MEET YOUR PANELLISTS

Hannah Diviney

Hannah Diviney is a writer and a disability and women’s rights advocate, as well as an actor. In 2022 Hannah called out some of the world’s biggest stars (Beyoncé and Lizzo) to change the lyrics she described as ableist – and they listened and obliged. She was a finalist for the 2021 Women of The Future Award and the 2022 Young Australian of the Year Award and in December 2024, Hannah delivered a ground-breaking address to the National Press Club in which she outlined a vision for ambitious political reform. Hannah was Editor-in-Chief at Missing Perspectives, a publication platform dedicated to addressing the marginalization of women in news, media and democracy. As an actor, Hannah has appeared in leading roles in the SBS Digital series Latecomers and in the feature film Audrey, which was released on Netflix in March 2025. She recently finished filming the latest series of The Twelve starring Sam Neill.

Jonathan Biggins

Jonathan Biggins OAM is widely recognized as Australia’s master of political satire. He is an award-winning writer, director and performer, perhaps best known as one of the creators and performers of the long-running and much-loved satire The Wharf Revue, which has just completed its 25th, and final, year. His one man show The Gospel According to Paul, in which he portrayed ex PM Keating (to the acclaim of the man himself) has enjoyed enormous success around the country, including a return season at the Sydney Opera House. Jonathan’s notable acting credits include Travesties, The White Guard and Ying Tong for STC, The Importance of Being Earnest for MTC, and The Mikado and Orpheus in the Underworld for Opera Australia. He has directed for Opera Australia, STC, Monkey Baa and the Australian production of the Broadway musical Avenue Q. Jonathan is the author of four books, three plays, two musicals, and had a fortnightly column in The Good Weekend for seven years.

Accessibility

In English

Wheelchair accessible

Companion Card accepted

Assistive Hearing system available (FM)

Find out more about accessibility at Riverside Theatres

Additional Ticketing Information

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