Celebrating the arts, Casablanca-style

Tony Turner and Lisa McClelland, as Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman,
get into gear for the CAPO gala ball. Picture: RICHARD BRIGGS

by HELEN MUSA

Arts Editor

It will be all glamour and romance on September 7 when the Capital Arts Patrons Organisation stages its annual gala ball and auction at the National Gallery of Australia on the theme of Casablanca.

So glamorous in fact, that CAPO president Tony Magee has been swapping Moroccan lamb recipes with a sponsoring butcher. The launch was held yesterday at the Australian War Memorial in front of a real Lockheed Hudson bomber - the same as in the movie.

Sponsorship is the essence of the organisation, which has raised more than $1 million in its 20 year history to support independent artists like poet Stephen Kelen, artist Dianne Fogwell and actor Kenneth Spiteri, as well as bodies like Muse arts monthly and Canberra Youth Theatre.

On hand to give the occasion the right touch of mystery were the Australian National University’s Tony Turner pretending to be Humphrey Bogart and actress Lisa McClellend as Ingrid Bergman.

Magee said his “procurement” committee was now busy persuading members of the business and arts communities to join in donating auctionable items, which in the past have included a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a night out with Bronwyn Bishop. Would-be donors can phone 6249 7860.

Once again, Singapore Airlines will come to the party with return tickets to somewhere very near Casablanca. It seems the company does not fly directly to Morocco, but it does fly to Madrid, and by Magee’s estimate, if you nip down to Gibraltar you can catch a ferry!

The airline’s done it before, the gallery has been the location before, the donations have been huge every year. It ought to be a case of “play it again Sam”.

First published in The Canberra Times, May 9 2002.