Maureen Potter

Maria Philomena Potter (1925 – 7 April 2004), known as Maureen Potter, was an acclaimed Irish singer, actor, comedian and performer.

Life

Maureen Potter was born in Dublin, Ireland and educated at St. Mary's, Fairview, North Dublin. She had a long career in the Irish theatre, mainly as a comedian, but also as a straight actress. She was a regular feature at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin and for many years starred in the Christmas pantomime. A bronze cast of her hand prints is featured outside.

Among Potter's many dramatic roles in the theatre was that of Maisie Madigan in Juno and the Paycock. While still a teenager, she toured abroad before World War II as a singer and dancer with Jack Haylton (aka Jack Hylton) and his orchestra. On a tour of Germany they once performed in front of Adolf Hitler and other Nazis.^[1]

In September 1938 Potter appeared on the pre-war BBC Television Service with Jack Hylton and his Band. Film of her performance is currently held by the Alexandra Palace Television Society.^[2] In 2001 the Archivist of the Alexandra Palace Television Society gave Maureen a copy of her 1938 television appearance and she recalled her memories:

"I was 13 years of age when I appeared with the Jack Hylton Band in RadiOlympia, a programme that went out on television all those years ago. What I remember most is the heavy ochre make-up the performers had to wear. I was excused the make-up for some reason; maybe mine was such a long shot that it was not deemed necessary. If you blink you miss me! However, June Malo, the Henderson Twins, Peggy Dell, Bruce Trent and Freddie Schweitzer had this heavy ochre make-up plastered on them. Plastered is the only word! Having toured with them for over 12-months and used to seeing them in stage make-up they looked very strange. Mr Hylton was excused also. He was always Mr Hylton to me. He called me “Morine”, (the American pronunciation, and was a kind man who made such a difference to my career. He always wore those two-tone shoes that were so popular at the time. It is wonderful to see him so trim and dapper in the tape, which Simon Vaughan has sent me."^[3][4]

Potter first appeared professionally with Jimmy O'Dea in pantomime and appeared frequently on television and in cabaret.

In 1984 she was conferred with the Freedom of the City of Dublin, and was later awarded an honorary degree from Trinity College, Dublin.

Potter died in Clontarf in her native Dublin on 7 April 2004, at the age of 79. She is survived by her husband, Jack and her sons, John and Hugh.

References

1. ^ Obituary of Maureen Potter
2. ^ Alexandra Palace Television Society
3. ^ Maureen Potter letter to APTS Archivist - March 2001
4. ^ APTS footage containing interview with Maureen Potter

External links

Biography portal

• Maureen Potter at Find a Grave
• The Guardian obituary of Maureen Potter
• Maureen Potter duetting with Patricia Cahill on RTE in 1977
• Maureen Potter as Sister Gonzaga
• Maureen Potter in a sketch with Patricia Cahill on RTE in 1969
• RTE 1969 Christmas with Maureen
• APTS footage containing interview with Maureen Potter

Persondata
Name	Potter, Maureen
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1925
Place of birth
Date of death	7 April 2004
Place of death