Interview Kirsten Hammermeister

Image Wendell Teodoro

A queer black Australian icon is being called to the stage once more. Send for Nellie, written by Alana Valentine (Barbara and the Camp Dogs; Barefoot Divas), directed by Liesel Badorrek, co-curated by Kween G, and produced by Sue Donnelly, reinvigorates the rich tale of Nellie Small, the top-hatted blues and jazz singer of Sydney.

We spoke to Elenoa Rokobaro (Caroline, or Change; Tick, Tick … Boom), the powerhouse performer stepping into the role of cross dressing artist – dominating the stage and ready to bring the magic of cabaret to Merrigong.

Tell us about your performance and musical theatre background.

My story is quite unique, I started in the industry when I was 16 years old. I went to a performing arts high school and from my time there my life completely changed. I ended up going to high school for about six months of my senior year 11 and 12 and ended up booking my first musical which was Respect, the musical that toured around Australia for a year. So, I ended up doing my HSC on the road via correspondence. I worked in the day, I studied in the day and performed at night for about a year. And I haven’t stopped performing since, it’s been about 17 years now.

What drew you to the role of Nellie Small?

What drew me to the role would have to be the fact that she’s an Australian icon, an unknown Australian icon that we’re still discovering now. She was trailblazer, I mean, it was just a no-brainer for me to jump on such an incredible project. Every time I have performed as Nellie, I have gained more and more insight on how to be unapologetic. I feel like in that decade of life, she was definitely ahead of her time. So, when I grow up, I want to be just like her!

How has it been developing a performance that explores Nellie’s life through story, song and through Nellie’s own words from the archives?

It’s incredibly daunting, if I’m honest. It’s always daunting when you are playing a real person. From the offset, I have always been the type of artist to have the perspective of being a vessel and not trying to be her. So, it is incredibly daunting, but also, I find that it is an important time for her story to be told as well. I feel like it’s my duty, as a person of colour and representing this generation, to pay respects in the best way.

What is your favourite song to perform from this show?

There are two moments, I don’t have just one song. One is called ‘St. Louis Blues’, and Nellie was known to sing blues and jazz, that was that was her style as a performer. So, I really love ‘St. Louis Blues’ because of the style. And the closing song of the show, ‘At Last’, to finalise the reason why we’re telling her story. ‘At Last’ her time has come.

Why is it important to share Nellie’s life and legacy on the stage?

I think it’s really important to share her story and be the vessel to tell her story because I think this is her time. I am quite a spiritual human being, so I believe in seasons in life and just like seasons this is her time to tell her story. To highlight the fact that, though they aren’t as big as international artists around the world, we have our own homegrown artists, before my time. I think it’s beautiful, but also important that we spark this conversation about acknowledging our homegrown artists. And this one in particular, she was the absolute queen!

From Wednesday 14 February, tickets available at Merrigong