Tangiers' Nasranis - Joe A. Callaway, 1985

            Joe Callaway was a 'summer bird' who spent three months in Tangiers each year then flew back to the New York to his day job. He was an experienced journalist, reviewer and theatre critic who'd met and interviewed many of the big names of 20th century literature - Tenessee Williams, Sartre, and Genet among them. What made Joe stand out from the crowd of nasranis was his gift for friendship. He was a networker to his bones, a first-rate gossip and in his last years a thrower of remarkable parties. Joe used to say that it was far easier for him to socialise with interesting people in Morocco than in New York, where everybody had busy schedules for weeks ahead. In Tangiers he could meet people like Gavin Lambert, Oleg Kerensky, and Gavin Young any day of the week. And Jean Genet only lived down the road in Larache.
Joe even had found a friendly rival (for he enjoyed a running spat as well) in George Dorian, a wealthy designer who lived in some style on the Marshan. George had it, and flaunted it. while Joe, who was also loaded, lived in a one roomed gourbi by the Fes market. Yet George struggled for social acceptance while Joe might be invited down to the Minzah to be wined and dined by somebody like Malcom Forbes, of 'Forbes Magazine'.
Joe also disarmed by 'consuting' people - all the time, on anything. "Now you know about these things, can you advise me....?" was one of his mantras. More than once he asked me, "Now what am I doing in this shitty hole of a place? As an expert on people, do you think I need to seek help? I really need to rearrange my life and I'm putting it in YOUR hands". Then adding, "And that's marvellous, because it'll cost me nothing!" 
In the mid-1980s Joe was given a diagnosis of mouth cancer and told that his time was limited. His reaction was to strike up the band and throw a party - a 'Big C' party, as he called it. The diagnosis turned out to be correct but the prognosis approximate. Joe returned to Morocco the following year....and for the next, and for a few after that. Party followed party. "Why am I still alive? I ask them that all the time. And nobody can tell me!"
One day Joe 'consulted' me about his money. Nobody in his family needed it. "As a Scotchman (sic), you'll give me good advice." "Why not do something for those closest to your heart....people in the theatre?" I suggested. "So! You can read my mind as well. That's extraordinary! How did you know that's exactly what I'd decided to do?." Joe hired a lawyer to set up a wide-ranging set of annual theatre awards - the Joe A. Callaway Awards for achievement in the theatre which, as happens with these things, are now among the most prestigious in the United States. He also created other institutional awards, including one for 'Civic Courage'.
Joe's indomitabilty was much admired. One day Nigel (Logan), the nasranis' lauriate, took up his pen to celebrate it.

                                Call Away, Callaway

Call away Callaway? "No'" said the Lord
"We'll have him placed in the surgical ward."
But something else, apart from skill
Demanded is of those who will
While lying down, stand up and fight
To keep their little lives alight.
This is a battle surely lost
If courage has to count the cost.
Surprise for those who thought him boxed -
A new edition, slightly foxed.
 
   

Taken on: January 1, 1985

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1985 « less

Sets appears in: • Tangiers Nasranis 1970 - 1995

Groups appears in: • Maroc - Morocco [tag "Morocco"] • Kingdom of Morocco more » • !Marruecos¡ • Tanger • LE MAROC • Memories from Morocco • Tangier, our city! « less

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