The Sesquicentennial Inaugural Chaser Lecture

Overview

Though the thought of attending a lecture on a Thursday night could make students past and present want to cry, the annual Chaser's Lecture will have you keen to write copious notes. On November 17, the Sydney Town Hall be hosting the team from The Chaser, who are undoubtedly much more entertaining than your long-suffering economics lecturer. Maybe.

The Chaser team will speak alongside the guest of honour, Indonesian comedian Sakdiyah Maruf. Celebrated for her provocative stand-up as a Muslim speaking out against Islamic extremism, Maruf has been awarded with the Havel Prize for Creative Dissent and the Freedom of Expression Award (previous winners include Ai Weiwei and Pussy Riot).

"Sakdiyah's comedy challenges Islamic fundamentalism, advocates for women's rights, and is really really funny, so she has absolutely nothing in common with The Chaser," said The Chaser's Julian Morrow​, who is MCing the Sesquicentennial Inaugural. "Sakdiyah follows Bassem Youssef ­the Egyptian Jon Stewart ­last year, so we're proud to say that The Chaser Lecture really has been swamped by Muslims."

Ticket prices vary from 'The Cheapskate' without dinner provided for $50, to a ten-person table with dinner and alcohol provided for $2750. Proceeds will be going towards Article 19, a charity defending journalist rights to freedom of expression and information. So if not for a guaranteed laugh, there's always the warming sense of altruism.