Rewriting the rulebook with Luisa Omielan
Luisa Omielan returns to City Varieties on Fri 23 February 2024, bringing her new show, Bitter, and her iconic, cock-blocking dog, Bernie, with her.
Luisa has endured years of people telling her she’s too loud, too crass and too emotional. But, on the contrary, her audiences tell her she’s incredible, hilarious, life-changing and a f**king superstar. She’s over it, she’s done and she no longer gives two f*cks. If following the rules in the book doesn’t work for us anymore, maybe it’s time we write some new ones.
We spoke to Luisa to find out more about these new rules and her new show.
Written by Ellen Carnazza and Luisa Omielan
Comedy
How did you get into comedy?
At 19, I went to Salford University because they had stand-up comedy as a module, so that’s when I first started. I quit for a couple of years after graduating as I got too scared by it all and it dented my confidence, but then I couldn’t stop dreaming or thinking about it, so picked it up again in my early 20s.
How would you describe your brand of comedy?
It’s very honest, authentic, heart-on-your-sleeve. It’s funny, ridiculous, silly and playful. It will move you (hopefully). It’s not just jokes; it’s never just jokes. It’s TEDx talk / preacher sermon / musical / comedy show.
We love the copy for your show. Do you have any advice on how to learn to no longer give two f*cks? What are the new rules we should write if we’re throwing the old rule book away?
Come and see the show and find out!
Luisa Omielan. Credit Karla Gowlett.
Touring
You’ve toured extensively – how do audiences differ across the country?
So different. Every city in the UK is unique. I LOVE touring Leeds, for example, I always have the best shows here; the crowds are wild and so up for it. It has an electric atmosphere, and being on the same stage as Charlie Chaplin once was is just magic!
What are your touring essentials?
MAKE UP, MERCH and BERNIE!!!
Do you prefer performing live or on telly?
There is nothing like the live circuit. Comedy on TV is so disappointing – it does not reflect the talent on the live scene. The cost of living has made it challenging for people to be able to have a night out so when they do, they want a sure thing. People are less likely to take a punt on someone they haven’t heard of; they want the big telly name. So it’s harder than ever for most acts, but my advice is to take the punt. Some acts on the circuit are never on telly and are just insanely good. Look at Dan Nightingale, Josephine Lacey, and Jojo Sutherland to name a few…
Luisa Omielan. Credit Karla Gowlett.
Bitter
Welcome back to City Varieties – are you excited to return?
Always. It’s one of my favourite venues in the world. I toured Europe this year and I was speaking about City Varieties to people in Poland. There is an energy in certain rooms, an unmatched history; it’s years and years and years of performers showcasing on the same stage; the floorboards trodden and the sides of stages where greats also stood. Looking out onto these gorgeous old chairs where generations of audiences have sat before and have laughed and cried and cheered and booed. It’s kinda magic. You can’t just create that shit with a new theatre. It’s a legacy, a stepping into something sacred. It sounds wanky but that’s how I feel about stepping on stage at the Varieties; it’s magic and I feel so lucky to be coming back.
Tell us about Bitter? What can audiences expect?
It’s a show that looks at how life is unfair and the world is on fire and how individually everything can suck and the social contract is broken. I know, it doesn’t sound very funny but that’s where I think people are at right now. And this show is to try and capture that. Like, I never want to do this show again. I want things to get better now. It’s a bit of an autobiographical show, but it looks to validate frustration. And then what do we do with that? That’s the vibe. But with jokes in. Hahahaha.
And how is Bernie?! We are very excited she’ll be joining you on stage.
The last time Bernie came to The Varieties, she ran straight into your staff room and stole five doughnuts out of someone’s handbag. I was mortified. She was feral for the whole show. She is buzzing about coming back this year – she remembers that sugar high like it was yesterday. This time, however, I will have her on a lead. Sorry, Bernie.
Poster for Bitter, featuring Luisa's dog Bernie.
Book tickets
Luisa Omielan is a comedic force of nature, returning to City Varieties on Fri 23 February 2024. Comedy’s first ‘BAFTA Breakthrough’ win, four smash-hit shows on the bounce, a genre-defining special called God is a Woman, sold-out runs in the West End, a star of Live at the Apollo; she’s even been described as masterminding ‘one of the biggest stand-up hits of the decade’ by The Guardian.
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