Hello Poetry Lovers
Welcome back to the talk show studio (Ecstatic applause)
Now settle down, PL’s, because our special guest tonight is talented and prolific poet George MacGillivray!
(Standing ovation.)
Hello George Welcome to the show.
Great platform shoes you have on there.
Why don’t you fill us in on your background?
Born in Glasgow rather longer ago than I care to remember. As a child I was not much interested in writing or indeed any arty subject. I was much more interested in science and saw my life going in that direction.
This didn’t really work out and I took a job working with computers; then a new field. Writing reports became part of my job.
My interest in the arts was fired by theatre both as an audience member and as a member of amateur drama groups. I always enjoyed Elizabethan and Jacobean drama; written in poetry rather than prose.
I have always been involved in community groups. That involvement led me to a group called “Write Afresh” at Raynes Park library. That’s where I started writing creatively; first prose then poetry.
Fascinating, George. I see Ann Vaughan Williams on the horizon here.
When did poetry become a part of your life?
I wrote my first poem in 2009. I had written prose before and was encouraged to redraft one prose piece I wrote as a poem in a weekly workshop Write Afresh; then run by Poetry Performance regular Ann Vaughan Williams. Once I started, I just kept doing it.
There, what did I say?! Lovely poet and lady. Then you came to us at the Adelaide. Excellent!
Who are your biggest influences?
I don’t enjoy reading poetry; it has always been about performance. I suppose I came to it via the Jacobean dramatists. It seems to me natural now, to express myself in verse.
After all poetry or song was the medium routinely used for stories and drama until after the Jacobean era.
Marvellous. Are you working on anything at the moment?
Write Afresh, the group I mentioned above is still running on Mondays at 10:15 in Raynes Park library. Consequently I write something most weeks.
That’s so inspiring, George. What a great way to start the week.
Now, (the audience gasp in anticipation)
What’s the best poetry gig you’ve ever done – and the Worst ?!!
I enjoyed reading at Poetry Performance. Previously I had only done open mics. So it was good to read for a bit longer.
The other reading I remember was at the British Museum as part of a writing workshop called “Writing Mesopotamia.”
After reading, Jenny Lewis, one of the facilitators said that I read very well. I didn’t know why she was so enthusiastic until I saw the video produced. It was quite a show.
It’s still out thereWriting Mesopotamia.
Isn’t it great being a featured poet?! Where the floor is truly yours! Sounds a wonderful video.
One open mic I did where the lighting in the hall was so dim no-one could see their scripts. Makes the case for learning it I suppose.
Indeed! A real learning curve. That was very impractical! Not thought through very well.
Well George, you’ve been a great guest
(Audience cheer in agreement) So, you’re out on the town with Dobby tonight?
Although she’s just been de-fleaed so she’s in a vile mood!
Well Heather, I think I’m going to return these shoes first. In fact I’d better get off to Freeman, Hardy & Willis before they close.
(Our esteemed guest awkwardly ascends the stairs to rapturous applause)
Wasn’t George a wonderful guest. Thank you so much, George.
(Big round of applause)
Thanks for visiting the Talk Show Studio, PL’s. We’ll be back with more poetry shenanigans real soon…
Heather Moulson 
A lively interview and it was good to hear George talking about his preference for poetry and performance. This certainly is much in evidence when he performs his poems.
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