www.nellykellytheatre.co.uk

1. Who are you?

I am Nelly, a proudly disabled, autistic, queer, ENM, androgynous, fat, hot butch. 

Mostly I work as a writer, dramaturg and facilitator, occasionally also as a (drag) performer, producer and consultant - mostly in theatre and queer performance environments, sometimes in other art forms.

I live in a teeny tiny village out west of Glasgow with my wife Molly and our wee feminist dug Frida Nipple.

2. How did you get here? 

I've been writing plays for almost a whole decade now! I fell into the world of queer performance when my friends opened a queer bookshop in Glasgow and I'd occasionally get involved in the drag and performance nights for a laugh. I made my drag debut at a queer rage cabaret put on at the bookshop at Christmas time in 2018 by the theatre company Jordan & Skinner, where I performed as a drag version of Theresa May, called Queeresa Gay.

I then performed Queeresa Gay in a few other places and eventually put a whole Queeresa Gay show together that was performed at Buzzcut Double Thrills at the CCA, which is where Annabel and I first crossed paths. Very shortly after that they asked me to write a play for a trans ensemble to be performed as part of the 10 year anniversary of The Gospel According to Jesus Queen of Heaven festival happening at the Tron Theatre - and the rest is history!

Later down the line I crossed paths with Fraser whilst I was working as the Artist Development Co-ordinator at the National Theatre of Scotland and he'd bring young people a tour round the office and try to talk to them while Frida (the aforementioned feminist - sorta man hating dug) would bark furiously at him just for just existing near her. Then I'd have the joy of meeting him several times over at the incredible LGBT+ Elders Social Dance Club and Coming Back Out Ball.

3. What does the concept of Sanctuary mean to you? 

Sanctuary to me means peace of mind. A place where busy thoughts melt into the feeling of slow, gentle, beautiful, streams of water. It's a space where you can come as you are and be wholly accepted and embraced.

It's places, spaces and relationships rooted in a love ethic*. Spaces where we feel safe and at peace when we need it, but that challenge and engage us in ways that trust in, nourish and enrich our deeply rooted humanity and care for one another. It's understanding and being understood, seeing and being seen by others.

It is spaces of love and hope.

*A concept defined by bel hooks in All About Love: New Visions

4. What does your Sanctuary look like? 

It looks like cosy nights in curled up with the incredible person I get to call my wife, with our wonderful wee dog curled up at our feet. And it looks like the precious time I get to spend with chosen family and wider community.