Dorothy Porter was known for her brilliant performance. She studied acting in her teen years and actually toyed with a career in the theatre. At one of her classes each student had to prepare a monologue and perform it to the group.
Dot’s piece was “Survivor of the Auto da Fé”. When she was finished her teacher asked who had written the script. “I did,” she said. To which the teacher replied: “You may one day be an actor, but you are already a poet.”
Dot combined two rare talents: she was a brilliant poet and she was a remarkable performer. We have her poems but we have lost her wonderful performances. I have loved each of the Poet’s Voice events I have attended: the poetry, the diverse performers, the dramatisation. These events remind us of the oral tradition of poetry, remind us that poetry is alive and dramatic and emotional and speaks to you. Dorothy’s performances had the same effect. These events also provide an opportunity to plunge into a particular poet’s work. For an hour or so we are removed from the cacophony of our mad lives and immersed deep into the poetic imagination.
This is a great privilege. There is little to compare. This is why I approached the Poet’s Voice to make tribute to Dot and celebrate the release of the collection, Love Poems.