Nellie was a cross dressing, queer, black icon of Oxford Street and Sydney Bars.The title ‘Send For Nellie’t might resonate today in the 21st century but Nellie the performer is almost 100 years old. A trailblazer who left her mark on show life from the 30s through to the early 60s. The title comes from when other performers, in respect for her talent, might suggest any show not up to scratch should “Send for Nellie”.
In respect for this show’s journey the true believers amongst them, amongst the producers Sue Donnelly and Stuart Davis, is the amazing talent of playwright Alana Valentine and Co Creator Kween G. If there is anyone who can find the voice of a character or a story and bring it back to life in her bowerbird, verbatim style, it is Valentine.
Nellis Small, small-time singer, performer, vaudeville entertainer and comic (if the genre), is certainly brought to life in this premiere show as part of the Sydney Festival. The Wharf has been reframed as a club room, redolent with generous front section of bar tables individually lit with table lights, a bar is also on location which more than set the mood last night.
Who better to play “Miss Show Business” but Elenoa Rokobaro, whom I enjoyed incredibly in her rendition of Billie Holliday last year at Belvoir. These songs are made for her voice. The numbers from the era are explored wonderfully in the variety that as the original cabaret, shared at times with her performer character offsider Eleanor Stankiewicz. And harmonized with the musical director Zara Stanton (Keyboards) and accompanied with the all women band (nice touch) – drums, Jodie Michael and sax/clarinet, Camilla Bellstedt. The song list included – Stormy Weather, AT Last, Dinah, St Louis Blues, Don’t Let me Be Misunderstood, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Sing Sing Sing, and Lydia the Tattooed Lady.
Nellie was Sydney Born of West Indian heritage and convent raised and found in a strange tale of fortune her benefactor, eventual manager and landlord Edith. As Nellie must sing, she finds her success lasts longer as a top hat and tails presented ‘showman’. Living in a time of great racism, and revealed in the short narrative moments of Valentine’s writing, Nellie’s showtime success is not echoed in the wider community experiences. Small moments well found by director Liesal Badorrek
Perhaps this was part and parcel of why she chose to remain dressed as a man, in well cut suits and from the photos I have seen in research, ‘he’ cuts a dashing figure.
The cabaret numbers are indeed a highlight and no less the story. A discovery we might never have known in the modern narrative and this small, sweet cabaret gives rise once again to Nellie Small cabaret artist.
DURATION – 1 HOUR NO INTERVAL – PARTIAL LOCKOUT –
SEND FOR NELLIE,a co-production of the sydney theatre company, Send For Productions and The Art House Wyong, is playing the Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company until the 14th January 2024.
