A tongue that can be like a cactus, both naturally beautiful and toxic, Gerry Potter is a passionate orator, described as:
A performance poet, playwright, director, actor, and both creator and destroyer of the infamous gingham diva, Chloe Poems. Liverpool born, Gerry is now also a favourite son of Manchester. He has a reputation for putting his Scouse voice on the line, and is strong on poetry and strong on the causes of poetryism.
One of my favourite poems is BINGE DRINKING EVIL GIRLS.
Dark glitter blouse cloud lived under for decades.
There where wild screams are,
wild pack pitch black mascara.
Top it up with powder; drown it with shooters,
bitched into knickers ‘n’ attitude.
It’s gonna be a bumpy rude.
Often when I walk around the streets of Liverpool, particularly at the weekend, I can see the origins of this painfully accurate observation and witness first hand all that is described by Gerry Potter in real time. This poem is in his fifth volume THE CHRONICLES OF FOLLY BUTLER.
A collection described as,
domestic fantastic theatre verse. A genre defying opus.
Gerry Potter’s writing is completely plugged into the here and now. The electricity that fuses through his work is energising, ecstatically passionate and explosive. It demands to be spoken out loud, performed, taking on a life of its own, adding another dimension to it.
ten million hardbacks had the privilege of a private audience with the legendary Northern poet.
10mh: Do you have a particular piece of work that you like to perform?
I still perform an old Chloe Poems poem called The Effeminate.
It’s a ten minute epic exploring what power is and isn’t to a camp kid from a working class background. It’s hugely autobiographical, ribald, moving and the audience love it. I’m fascinated about where power is and isn’t in our society and about how powerful we actually are at our weakest. The Effeminate pulls no punches in discovering/uncovering those moments.
10mh: Who influences you?
Life influences me, the visceral joy of existing. Struggle is a huge influence too, I’m far more interested in people and things if there’s a genuine story behind it. I’m no stranger to grief so the rip of death informs the work a great deal. Family, friends and dancing, queers dancing through grief is a big writing turn on for me.
10mh: Can you craft a poem in seven words?
We will all fall off the cliff.
10mh: Pick a favourite music album?
Rock Follies and Rock Follies of 77. This programme and The Little Ladies probably made me gay, certainly pointed me in the direction of who I’d become. These albums had me in my mirror being Julie Covington, still one of my happiest Scottie Road memories.
10mh: Any standout moments in your career so far?
I don’t think of my life in terms of career so it’s hard.
Every time I feel me and the audience are on the same planet and page.
10mh: Where would you most like to perform?
I really want to do more stuff in Liverpool. I hardly get to play my home town. I’d like to do The Everyman.
10mh: Who would play you in a film?
Emu.
