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Send For Nellie — In Conversation with Playwright Alana Valentine
LOTL Media - Queer Conversation
Send For Nellie is a thrilling new cabaret work that brings to life the extraordinary, long‑overlooked story of Nellie Small, the West‑Indian Australian singer who lit up Sydney’s Oxford Street in 1931.
With her signature top hat and tails, Nellie became a groundbreaking figure in Australian vaudeville and cabaret — bold, charismatic, and defiantly non‑conformist at a time when few performers of colour, and even fewer queer performers, were given space to shine.
Written by Helpmann Award–winning playwright Alana Valentine, the show celebrates Nellie’s artistry, her battles, and the legacy she carved into Australia’s cultural history. In this Queer Conversation, LOTL speaks with Alana Valentine about the research behind the work, the joy of rediscovering Nellie’s voice, and why her story still resonates today.
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