“It may have been men who built the world, but it’s women who are going to save it.”
Luisa Omielan is a powerhouse. She has just released her critically acclaimed show God is a Woman as an online special. Self funded and self produced, Luisa’s success is resting on the unwavering love of her die hard fan base.
“She is oxygen to the audiences” Lenny Henry
An Edinburgh Fringe legend she broke through at the festival in 2012, with her phenomenal show ‘What would Beyonce Do?!’ Which was later made into a BBC special. Credited with starting a new genre of comedy she went on to write a book, three more critically acclaimed one women shows, fronted her own BBC television show called Politics for Bitches, as well appearing on Live at The Apollo and being named a Bafta Breakthrough Brit.
She has worked hard for over a decade and this year she returns to Edinburgh with two work in progress shows. The two projects are polar opposite in nature. In ‘Bitter’ she purges her frustration at the comedy industry, an attempt to tear down the outdated structures holding her back. ‘God is a Woman The musical’ is the opportunity to see a master at work in the building of something new, and even be a part of the creative process.
Luisa is one of the most compelling comedians I have ever come across, embodying the true spirit of the fringe. ‘Bitter’ details how the industry has given her a hard time but she is showing courage meeting her audience where she is at, creating the deepest sense of intimacy I have ever seen between performer and fans.
The game is rigged and she is tired of playing. She talks about how women are treated differently than men in the industry. She cares deeply about her audience, but her attention to detail has led industry bosses to call her a diva, difficult and demanding. A powerful rant, detailing how her male counterparts have had it so much easier, results in applause.
Citing comedy as a force for healing, Luisa believes laughter is a universal language and describes how it helped her when she was growing up speaking polish. She’s 40 now and already experiencing ageism. She has given it her all, subscribing to the philosophy, “Don’t get bitter, get better.” A strong and independent woman, some people in the industry didn’t like her saying no. A woman of integrity, she refused to do a TV show because it wasn’t in alignment with her values.
Giving us one woman shows before they got so popular. Luisa tells me after the show that years ago London Hughes, now a Hollywood star, approached her and told that she was inspired by her work. It doesn’t surprise me that London opted to leave the UK. Luisa explains;
“TV decision makers continue to push the sexist trope that women aren’t funny, by not booking funny women, opting instead for reality TV stars, sports personalities and presenters. Whereas male comics can be seen on every channel travelling the world with their Dad.”
I tell her she belongs on Netflix. I’m not the first to suggest this, a fan previously gathered around 3000 signatures in a petition to get her there but as of yet, to no avail.
She’s noticed how the festival has changed over the years. It’s dead in comparison to the last time she visited before the pandemic.
“The UK is dying. Everyone is depressed. This is what happens when you put Nepo babies in charge of everything.”
When I pop in to see her musical project, Luisa has got the audience dancing along to a Taylor Swift song before the show has even started. The energy is electric.
Based on the lost gospels of Saint Mary Magdalene. She wants this show to be the female version of the Book of Mormon and describes it as a mating call to producers and investors.
“Britain does not like women who like themselves and yet audiences CRAVE them. Corporations are finally waking up to the buying power of half the population, think Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Barbie. It’s women’s money that is driving economic growth.”
Luisa could be the comedy counterpart to these global female megastars. The potential of this show is massive. Everyone is rooting for her as she passionately sings a self penned power ballad. It’s really something special, an empowering piece of work.
“Most importantly, it highlights the most gaslit and misrepresented woman in history: Mary Magdalene. Undermined, dismissed, mis-quoted and slut-shamed whilst the men get all the glory. Sound familiar?”
Over a decade since she broke through with ‘What Would Beyonce Do?!’, despite being tired and feeling that the comedy establishment is against her, Luisa shows no signs of giving up. Lit up by her fans, Luisa Omielan is still a firecracker. Industry doors may have been slammed but she’s taking her power back by bringing these projects to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and releasing her online special. All of her previous shows have had five star reviews and based on the reaction she is getting from her audiences, I am sure there will be many more to come. Go get em Luisa!
Samatha Pressdee
Catch her last remaining work in progress shows at the fringe;
Luisa Omielan: Bitter, Monkey Barrel 5.45pm £10.
Luisa Omielan: God is s Woman The Musical, Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 8.30pm Free,
To rent or buy Luisa’s Comedy special go here luisaomielan.com/shows/godisawoman/
Mumble Comedy 