Sometimes, the best part of seeing a show is the conversation it sparks. Our series of ‘morning after’ breakfast events invites you to join a selection of writers, critics and arts lovers to dissect selected Melbourne Festival shows, sharing views on what worked, what didn’t – and why.

Each Morning After session will pair one or more of our creative writers with established critics to talk about what they’ve seen.

Come and debrief in a relaxed, informal atmosphere – the perfect way to share ideas and inspiration about art.

This morning, we’ll be talking about the Quartets at Sunset concert series.

Reviving Melbourne Festival’s tradition of sunset chamber music, this series sees acclaimed local and international quartets performing in the acoustically delightful surrounds of the Collins Street Baptist Church.

Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around Quartets at Sunset on this website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes, the best part of seeing a show is the conversation it sparks. Our series of ‘morning after’ breakfast events invites you to join a selection of writers, critics and arts lovers to dissect selected Melbourne Festival shows, sharing views on what worked, what didn’t – and why.
Each Morning After session will pair one or more of our creative writers with established critics to <a href="http://wheelercentre.com/projects/criticism-now/the-morning-after-quartets-at-sunset">talk about what they’ve seen</a>.
Come and debrief in a relaxed, informal atmosphere – the perfect way to share ideas and inspiration about art.
This morning, we’ll be talking about the <a href="http://www.melbournefestival.com.au/program/genre/quartets-at-sunset.html">Quartets at Sunset</a> concert series.
Reviving Melbourne Festival’s tradition of sunset chamber music, this series sees acclaimed local and international quartets performing in the acoustically delightful surrounds of the Collins Street Baptist Church.
Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around Quartets at Sunset on <a href="http://wheelercentre.com/projects/criticism-now/the-morning-after-quartets-at-sunset">this website</a>.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Between the rise of new media and the shrinking of the old, arts criticism is evolving fast.  While blogs and online forums have opened the conversation to anyone with a keyboard and an internet connection, professional critics fiercely guard their status as informed arbiters of art. What’s the difference between opinion and criticism? Does it really matter?

Criticism Now

Subscribe to the Wheeler Centre's podcast to hear full recordings of our talks, featuring the best in books, writing and ideas from Melbourne, Australia.

The Wheeler Centre

The Morning After - Quartets at Sunset

Unapologetic, sometimes controversial, and always unflinchingly honest, Roxane Gay has built a remarkable career using her powerful voice to articulate the nuances of our most pervasive issues. Body image, civil rights, feminism, popular culture, social etiquette – you name it, Gay has written about it.

The esteemed writer, professor and cultural commentator was joined by host Jan Fran at Melbourne Town Hall for one night only as they discussed her most strongly held views on the culture and politics of the past decade, celebrated in her latest book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.

In this conversation, Gay reflects on the fundamental importance of holding complicated views in our complicated times.  

This event was recorded on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at Melbourne Town Hall.

Roxane Gay was presented in Melbourne by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. She was presented in Sydney by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The official bookseller was Hill of Content.

Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Unapologetic, sometimes controversial, and always unflinchingly honest, Roxane Gay has built a remarkable career using her powerful voice to articulate the nuances of our most pervasive issues. Body image, civil rights, feminism, popular culture, social etiquette – you name it, Gay has written about it.
The esteemed writer, professor and cultural commentator was joined by host Jan Fran at Melbourne Town Hall for one night only as they discussed her most strongly held views on the culture and politics of the past decade, celebrated in her latest book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.
In this conversation, Gay reflects on the fundamental importance of holding complicated views in our complicated times.  
This event was recorded on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at Melbourne Town Hall.
Roxane Gay was presented in Melbourne by The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never. She was presented in Sydney by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The official bookseller was Hill of Content. Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Roxane Gay: Opinions

National treasure Noni Hazlehurst details her life on stage and screen and takes us behind-the-scenes of a brilliant career. 

Noni Hazlehurst’s versatility as a performer knows no bounds. A household name and a beloved actor, she's graced Australian screens and theatre stages for over forty years. From Playschool and Better Homes and Gardens, to Monkey Grip and her acclaimed theatrical career – Hazlehurst has earned her place as an Australian icon. 

At this Melbourne-exclusive event, Hazlehurst joins host Elizabeth McCarthy to discuss her long-awaited memoir, Dropping the Mask, which celebrates a life and career that are both ordinary and extraordinary – and all class. 

This event was recorded on Thursday 10 October 2024 at The Capitol as part of The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling series.

It was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture. The official bookseller was Readings.

Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.

National treasure Noni Hazlehurst details her life on stage and screen and takes us behind-the-scenes of a brilliant career. 
Noni Hazlehurst’s versatility as a performer knows no bounds. A household name and a beloved actor, she's graced Australian screens and theatre stages for over forty years. From Playschool and Better Homes and Gardens, to Monkey Grip and her acclaimed theatrical career – Hazlehurst has earned her place as an Australian icon. 
At this Melbourne-exclusive event, Hazlehurst joins host Elizabeth McCarthy to discuss her long-awaited memoir, Dropping the Mask, which celebrates a life and career that are both ordinary and extraordinary – and all class. 
This event was recorded on Thursday 10 October 2024 at The Capitol as part of The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling series.
It was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture. The official bookseller was Readings.
Featured music is ‘Different Days’ by Chill Cole.

Noni Hazelhurst in Conversation: Dropping the Mask

Critics Eda Gunaydin, Michael Sun and Cher Tan examine the present state and potential futures of literary criticism. 

Literary criticism seems to be in an endless state of decline. In so-called Australia, a particular flavour of cultural cringe is yoked to cultural hegemony: a critic might find themselves locked within the ivory tower, or self-censoring for fear of offence, or deliberately pursuing contrarianism for clicks. How, then, do critics move beyond this deadlock? Who decides what is 'good' criticism? What, exactly, is the function of criticism at the present time? This panel discussion sees three critics examine the possibilities of literary criticism, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the critic. Together they pick apart these issues and attempt to propose a future for reviews that takes into account not only writers and editors, but readers and culture as a whole.  

This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural Liminal Festival, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.

The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was Amplify Bookstore.

Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

Critics Eda Gunaydin, Michael Sun and Cher Tan examine the present state and potential futures of literary criticism.  Literary criticism seems to be in an endless state of decline. In so-called Australia, a particular flavour of cultural cringe is yoked to cultural hegemony: a critic might find themselves locked within the ivory tower, or self-censoring for fear of offence, or deliberately pursuing contrarianism for clicks. How, then, do critics move beyond this deadlock? Who decides what is 'good' criticism? What, exactly, is the function of criticism at the present time? This panel discussion sees three critics examine the possibilities of literary criticism, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the critic. Together they pick apart these issues and attempt to propose a future for reviews that takes into account not only writers and editors, but readers and culture as a whole.  This conversation was recorded on 3 August 2024 as part of the inaugural <a href="https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/event-series/liminal-festival">Liminal Festival</a>, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Bringing together some of the continent’s most talented writers, the Liminal Festival contemplates the language of our shared histories and future.
The Liminal Festival was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The official bookseller was <a href="https://amplifybookstore.com/">Amplify Bookstore</a>.
Featured music is ‘Diffuser’ by Shiruky.

The Morning After - Quartets at Sunset

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