I first saw Olly Alexander live at Capital’s Summertime Ball, and he was unforgettable — a real force on stage, with an energy unlike anything I’d experienced before. I later watched It’s A Sin and thought it was brilliant, so a conversation exploring Olly’s perspective on the future of queer storytelling immediately caught my attention.
On Saturday 19 September 2026, Olly Alexander comes to the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre for Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling, part of the Southbank Centre’s Letters to the Future programme.
Olly Alexander: The Future of Queer Storytelling
Singer, actor and LGBTQIA+ advocate Olly Alexander curates a panel looking at the future of queer storytelling across television, literature, film and the wider creative industries.
Joining him are writer, film-maker and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi, actor and writer Jade Anouka, and writer Juno Dawson.
The discussion will consider the challenges currently facing queer media and creators, including concerns about falling LGBTQIA+ representation and shrinking opportunities for the next generation of queer creatives. It will also ask who is telling the important stories now, and what can be done to protect visibility and creative freedom in the future.
Why This Conversation Matters
Queer storytelling has had an enormous impact across television, film, books and theatre. Stories such as It’s A Sin have reached mainstream audiences while putting LGBTQIA+ lives and history at the centre of the narrative.
For me, that makes this more than simply an evening with a performer I’ve enjoyed watching. It is a conversation about representation, whose voices get heard and what opportunities will exist for the creatives coming next — subjects that cross culture, media and creative education.
Letters to the Future at Southbank Centre
The event forms part of Letters to the Future, a Southbank Centre programme bringing together cultural figures to discuss issues shaping the future. The September weekend includes conversations spanning education, digital media, housing, climate, relationships and creativity alongside queer storytelling.
Dates, Venue and Tickets
Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Running time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Age guidance: 12+; under-12s must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: from £24
Ticket prices and event information can change, so check the official Southbank Centre event page for the latest availability and booking information.
Accessibility
The 7pm event on 19 September is confirmed by the Southbank Centre as Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT).
The Southbank Centre also operates a free Access Scheme and provides information about wheelchair spaces, step-free access, accessible facilities, parking and other support through its official access information.
Practical Information
Queen Elizabeth Hall is at the Southbank Centre on Belvedere Road. Waterloo and Embankment are the nearest Underground stations, with Waterloo also the nearest mainline railway station.
More LGBTQIA+ Culture on Clarissa’s Corner
Queer culture, theatre, representation, drag and community-led storytelling have a year-round home on Clarissa’s Corner. Explore the LGBTQIA+ Culture, Theatre and Community Hub for more.
