Join us for a night that celebrates Melbourne, art, friendships and one of our city’s greatest writers, Chris Womersley.

Melbourne, 1991. Fresh out of detox and five years after his involvement in the theft of Picasso’s masterpiece The Weeping Woman from the NGV, Edward Degraves – art forger and drug addict – returns to Melbourne for a new start. All he needs is to make one last visit to The Diplomat, a seedy motel renowned for its drug dealers and eccentrics. But Edward’s new-found sobriety is both a torment and a gift. As he revisits old haunts, he is confronted by reminders of the past: ruined relationships, a stalled career as an artist and - looming over everything - the death of his beloved wife Gertrude. Shot through with grief and dark comedy, The Diplomat is a powerful story of love and recovery – and a stark evocation of the fine line between self-destruction and redemption.

Elizabeth McCarthy Triple R will be joining Womersley in conversation.

This event is free to attend but bookings are essential.

Please book here.

We are committed to providing a safe environment for our staff and customers. Ahead of the event, please visit