Road to Tangier: A Satirist’s Journey: Written and Performed by Bryan Dawe

Join Bryan on this entertaining and informative multi-visual tour as he makes his way from Hungary, Poland, Romania & Turkey to Syria, Jordan and finally to his adopted home of Tangier, Morocco. 45 mins followed by Bryan Dawe in conversation with Elly Varrenti

Road to Tangier When his close friend and satirical collaborator of 30 years, John Clarke, passed away suddenly, the public reaction to Clarke’s death was to change Bryan’s life. Overwhelmed, Bryan decided to return to live in Tangier in Morocco where he had lived previously and could be anonymous.

After nine months he returned to Australia, only to have Covid hit preventing him from returning to live in Tangier on a permanent basis. When the strict border restrictions were lifted both in Australia and also Morocco, Bryan did finally return to Tangier. He has lived and worked in Tangier since, returning recently to Australia in late July 2024. Tangier and its history, its architecture, old cafes and bars, the wonderful stories, the close proximity to Europe (just 45 minutes away by ferry to Spain) the light and most of all, the delightful humour and genuine warmth of her people, continue to inspire and inform Bryan’s artistic work.

Narratives and stories, in this regard, Tangier is a creative alchemy, like no other. As Josh Shoemake, author and teacher said in his literary guide: ‘Tangier’: ‘Truth or fiction? Never mind? There’s not much difference here.’ Concentrating on his digital artwork, Bryan had his second Tangier exhibition in March 2024. In April 2024, before returning, he headed a two week Moroccan art tour with an Australian group from Melbourne. - part of that tour included three multi-media talks - including ‘A Tangier Affair, his humorous and insightful tale of one of the most intriguing cities in the world. His ‘Road to Tangier’ talks about this and also the origins of Bryan’s love for Arab culture: Syria and Jordan, which he visited three time before the Civil War.

BRYAN: ‘I was born in Port Adelaide. By nature, port towns have a unique openness and acceptance of diversity. This is true of where I grew up and echoed very much in Tangier. Tangier’s history, architecture, old cafes and bars, the wonderful stories, the color and most of all, the delightful humor and genuine warmth of her people, continue to inspire and inform my work.’

Others:

Against a backdrop of decaying buildings and exotic landscapes, Bryan honors Tangier’s creative and social past.’
Sandy McCutcheon. The View from Fez

‘Bryan’s imaginative collage technique is fascinating.
David Sánchez. Spanish art historian and critic. Madrid. Spain

Sunday 3 November 6PM
The Coolroom, Northern Arts Hotel, Castlemaine
https://events.humanitix.com/b...

About Bryan Dawe

Bryan Dawe is one of Australia’s finest political satirists. He has enjoyed a long career on radio; television, film and the speakers’ circuit, with his much-loved characters Sir Murray Rivers QC and Roly Parks’ Letter from Kalangadoo.

On television he is best known for his work with the late John Clarke – on ABC TV's Clarke & Dawe segment, just before the 7pm news – and for his role in the acclaimed ABC TV series The Games.

Bryan has also appeared in various films – including the hit Australian film The Castle. Bryan has many passions away from satire. He has held a number of photographic exhibitions, including as part of a group exhibition this year: Syria Lost, showing photos from his previous three trips to Syria. He is an inveterate traveller and most recently has spent the past 3 years living and making art in Tangier, Morocco.

Bryan is also an active social justice advocate and has been involved for many years supporting reconciliation between black and white Australians. He set up the National Troublemakers Union, launched recently in his hometown of Port Adelaide and is currently back in Australia touring his one-person show: Road to Tangier: A Satirist’s Journey.