Interview: Luisa Omielan ahead of new tour ‘Bitter’at The Stand Newcastle

InNewcastle 19 February 2024 Aaron Whittington, Interviews, Latest News No Comment

Aaron speaks with Luisa Omielan. The BAFTA breakthrough artist and comedian, discusses her comedy journey, the success of her show ‘What Would Beyonce Do?’, and the balance between comedy and delivering a message. She shares her thoughts on cancel culture and the impact of social media. Louisa reflects on memorable performances and the connection she has with her audiences. She emphasizes the importance of being honest and relatable in her comedy. Louisa talks about the making of her new show, which explores bitterness and the broken social contract. She also expresses her love for Newcastle and her favorite takeaway from Greggs.

Aaron
Good morning and welcome to InNewcastle and today we’ve got a very exciting guest, BAFTA breakthrough artist, viral sensation, star of Live at the Apollo and just generally an openly honest and hilariously funny comedian, Louisa Omeilan Now, just want to say hi and welcome to the podcast show.

Luisa
Hi, thanks for having me. I even did surprise and I’m not ready, I was quite out of the shower. I forgot about this, so yeah.

Aaron
Yeah, we discovered this morning that Louisa wasn’t quite expecting this, nor was she expecting it to be on camera either, so we’re appreciating. She looks wonderfully beautiful anyway, so here we are. So we’re here to talk about your new show.

Luisa
Excuse the wet rail, but yeah, we’re here.

Aaron
I always like to rewind it a lot and just to find out kind of where comedy started for yourself those many years ago. So what got you into comedy in the first place?

Luisa
I started when I was 19. I started because I really wanted to… I always loved doing comedy, whether it was a sketch or whether it was an improvisation or anything. And then when I was younger, I’d see people stand up and telling jokes, but I didn’t realise that was called stand -up comedy. I didn’t realise that was the name for it. And I wanted to go to university to do comedy because it was the kind of time where if you got a degree, you’d get a good job, and I couldn’t afford to go to drama school. So I was like, well, how can I try and do drama but, you know, not have drama school? So I went to university and Salford had a stand -up comedy module and I was like, oh, I’m going to go there and do it at Salford. So I started when I was 19 and I’m 41 now, so I’ve been doing it for quite a while. Yeah.

Aaron
over that time did you have any kind of comedic inspirations that kind of led to your style or influenced you?

Luisa
I really love like American 80s greats like I loved like Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, like all these guys like I just thought they were phenomenal and so funny like I love 80s comedy films they don’t make them like that anymore like they’re so funny so they were

Aaron
Mmm, yeah. That’s it. You mentioned they’re kind of for Eddie Murphy and that he’s bringing back Beverly Hills Cop, which would be quite good, I suppose. There was a trailer that dropped.

Luisa
Yeah, but I hope it’s just sweet and cheesy and everything else. Like, it’s so ridiculous. And so is Sergio, the guy that works in the art gallery that’s like really, like just, just fabulous. Like, yeah.

Aaron
And over your time of making comedy, from when you first started, do you think your style has changed a lot in terms of how you deliver it?

Luisa
That’s a good question. I think the contents definitely change. I think the style, what happens is the longer you do it, the more comfortable you get being yourself. So the style is the same, I think, as when it was when I first started. I’m just more confident and secure in it now. But the content evolves and changes, yeah.

Aaron
That’s it. And obviously, first of all, what did Beyonce do? Kind of became like a kind of, just a massive kind of hit. Is that something that you kind of expected, just in terms of the reaction from it?

No, I just really believed in it and that kind of that show actually kind of shaped the culture of stand -up shows in the UK. It was a part of a load of shows that kind of shaped and changed how solo shows were perceived because at the time it was really frowned upon by like industry experts like it was like this is this is not comedy but audiences would go wild for it and that kind of heart on your sleeve party anthemic show then was like yeah, I was born. I’m very proud of that show, it’s a beautiful show.

You can watch it on YouTube now still, like it’s still available. But yeah, it was a really wonderful time. But it’s a long time ago now, 2012 that show came out. Yeah.

Aaron
It makes you start thinking back. But is it, you mentioned there like, it kind of shifted culturally the way it shows where, so is it good to be able to kind of say that you were part of that as well?

Luisa
It is, it would be nice if I had the money to back it up, that would be really cool. But like, I’m really proud of it. Like, I’m really proud of it. And I know that it did that. So, you know, you can’t take that, whatever happens, I can’t take that away that I’m like, oh, I created something that I’m really proud of and like, beautiful. So I’m very, I’m very happy. And it was like the best years of my life, I think, doing that show. So, yeah.

Aaron
Then throughout all the shows that you’ve done, do you think there’s a balance between obviously, you’re quite empowering in terms of the comedy that you deliver. Do you think there’s a fine balance between kind of the comedic element of kind of delivering jokes and such like that and kind of portraying a message per se that you’re trying to get over to people?

Luisa
Yeah, I think like my thing has always been laugh and cry, laugh and cry, laugh and cry. Like I like to make audiences laugh and cry and I’ve always really enjoyed that. And I think if you’re just authentic and true to that, then your message will come through anyway. Like you don’t need to hammer home a message. Sometimes just being authentic is enough. And I think if you try and find a message to make a show, it’s just, it’s insincere, it looks forced, it looks like shoe wedged in. It’s weird.

Aaron
And do you think, as a comedian, do you worry about, not necessarily you, but cancel culture in terms of how far comedy can go now, or in terms of when you’re writing a show, do you have to think about how it might be received in terms of content?

Luisa
No, not at all actually, not at all. Like I think, most comedians, I think, come from a place of love. And I think actually everyone should maybe be worried about cancel culture because in every job, in every industry, with social media, and I kind of worry for younger generations how they perceive it because it is terrifying how social media can turn on you or whatever, or gossip or rumours or bullying or whatever. But in terms of content, I mean…I think there’s accountability, so if you’re going to be a nob online or a nob in your work, then people can say, hey, that was nobbish. But I think that’s always been the case, maybe. I don’t know. Yeah, it’s just now it’s magnetised, isn’t it?

Aaron

And through the many shows that you’ve done over the years, kind of globally, do you have any that stand out particularly to you? Do you have any memorable performances that you think, oh, that was a good one, or better or worse?

Luisa
So many, so many. Yeah, just when I first went full time because I was working for a long time and I kept getting like no’s and no’s and no’s and no’s and like just people not interested at all. And then I think that for just the first few years of being able to perform shows, to sold out rooms to like 180 people and get standing ovations, like it was just a magical time. Like it was incredible to feel like, oh.

You know, it’s been so dark for so long trying to work my way through this, but I really believed in it. And now at the end, I’m like benefiting with the rewards and connecting with an audience in a way that actually if I’d have, you know, if I’d have not followed my heart, I would have never have had that. So, so many, so many. And I think my audiences are beautiful and they never cease to impress me. Like they always, is that the right way to say it? They never cease to amaze me, yeah, They’re really cool. I feel like I’m very lucky with my audiences.

Aaron
You mentioned there about connecting with audiences, with the way you deliver your shows and such, and they’re quite interactive and, like you say, atmospheric. Do you think that connection, and I’ve seen on your Instagram and such like that, you’re very open and honest and some type of reaction, like you say, is like you find that many people may feel similar.

Luisa
Yeah.

Aaron
Do you see yourself as a voice or is it more that you share experiences and you find that many people connect and that’s kind of what brings people together in terms of your honesty.

Luisa
It’s the latter, it’s the latter. So I share something and then when they say they connect then that makes me feel better. Sometimes it’s the opposite, sometimes like, you know, when there’s been some time has passed and you’ve had an experience and time has passed and you can share maybe like a lesson or some wisdom from it even though you’re always evolving and learning but like sometimes there’s a case of that. But mainly it’s me going, ah don’t worry we’re the same boat you’re like oh phew okay i’m fine don’t worry about it yeah

Aaron
I think it’s just like anything I guess when you share something you find out that you’re not the only one kind of you know that’s it and how long is it so a bit of your new tour how long has this been in the making?

Luisa
Exactly and it’s so much easier isn’t it to know you’re not alone so yeah.

Well, honestly, over a decade then, because it’s the next show. Like, if you think about, like, if I think about each and every one of my shows, they’re very of the moment. So they’re very of the moment from where I’m at. And it’s got to a point where I’m bitter. So, wow, I’m putting it in a show. And I did it in Edinburgh last year. And it wasn’t meant to be a show, really. It was just, it was just an opportunity to be like, let’s just explore this, these ideas and these feelings and let’s see what happens.
with it and fortunately people seem to really relate and resonate so it kind of grew and has grown and now I’m on tour and I’m coming to Newcastle. Do understand? Yeah, so I’m really glad about that.

Aaron
You are, you are. So you mentioned that it’s quite kind of, you think the show’s quite current, so without giving too much away, kind of what’s the show about or kind of what is it that you’re bitter about?

Luisa
I think there’s lots of things of feeling like that you’ve worked really hard and you sacrifice everything and what have you got to show for it? That kind of feeling of getting to a point of like what’s the point of it all and when you see some people have it easier or seem to have it just flows them and you’re like I don’t understand why I’ve done the right thing that’s not flowing but like It’s not healthy to be jealous. It’s not healthy to compare. So you go, OK, so what am I supposed to do with this journey that I’m on then? Like, if it’s not working for me, like, what am I doing wrong? But then what do you do if you feel like you haven’t done anything wrong? You’ve just followed the rules. And I guess it’s kind of exploring the idea of the social contract being broken, that following the rules for the last few generations may have worked to an extent, but now it’s very obviously broken and what do we do with that? But it’s got jokes in. Is that with jokes?

Aaron
Obviously going around the country and such, so do you have to change it in any way when you’re approaching different kind of regional audiences or in -experience?

Luisa
No, that’s the point. That’s the point is that you explore what different people are feeling from different regions. So no, absolutely not. You don’t. Yeah.

Aaron
You mentioned there you come into Newcastle, the stand, which I know you’ve played before.

Luisa
Yes, I haven’t been back to Newcastle in a long time. I’m coming back on April 21st.

Aaron
You are indeed. And in terms of the show, so behind kind of in terms of the show, having written it kind of comparing to performing it, how do you find the process of writing compared to actually getting out and performing it?

Luisa
I don’t, I don’t work like that so I write on stage as I perform so it’s always been performed. So, yeah.

Aaron
Okay and obviously like I mentioned Stand Newcastle, I was on one of your lives as well last week and you said oh Newcastle is one of one of your favorite places. So yeah what is it about Newcastle that you find so lovely?

Luisa
When I was younger starting stand -up and I think coming from down south, when I first went to Salford Uni, there was very much this like, oh, do you think, yeah, like, are you from down south, you’re postulate? And I was like, I couldn’t understand. Like, it was just BS, do know what mean? Like it was whatever. And then you kind of learn, you know, whatever to just get on with it. And so I think when I first started touring Northern City, I was like, oh, they’re not gonna get me. I’m just gonna have that same reaction. Like, oh God.

Luisa
And actually I learned very quickly that it was the opposite, that I felt very much embraced and like when you’re bad, they’ll let you know you’re bad, that’s the democracy, but when you’re good, they’ll carry you out. And I just, there’s an honesty and a truthfulness and a sense of justice and yeah maybe just justice, there’s a sense of justice with them and a sense of understanding that I get in a lot of cities like Leeds, like Belfast, like Liverpool and like Newcastle. It’s just, it’s world class, like I think it’s world class and so yeah I can’t wait to come back and play Newcastle and also they go feral as well, these places go feral, like it’s really fun, like yeah the oldies is the wild.

Aaron
I can relate being a Southern and myself from London. Obviously now I live here but yeah it’s a wonderful city and yeah I come to love it. So people here are genuinely great, friendly just anything and yes yeah can see why you’re looking forward to it. And I know you love a takeaway and you love a bit of it and you love many different types of takeaway.

So while you’re in Newcastle…Although it’s not quite a takeaway, do you visit Greggs? Greggs? Do you not know Greggs? You know Greggs, but you don’t go, do you? Yeah. I know, but do you ever go? Yeah!

Luisa
Do I visit Gregg’s? No. Of course I know Gregg’s. We have Gregg’s here. Like I’ve got Gregg’s down the road. Yeah, no. Do Gregg’s? Eh, maybe last year once I had a sausage roll. Like, yeah, like.

Aaron
There we go. So I was going to ask, what’s your favourite thing from Gregg’s? Because if you’re a northerner and you’re in Newcastle, you’ve got Gregg’s on every corner, or three in the same street.

Luisa
That’s what I love from Gregg’s. I really like their vegan sausage rolls actually. I’m not vegan, but I like their vegan sausage rolls. But I also like their iced dough. They used to do, and they’ve got smaller and smaller. They used to do like just an ice ring doughnut, like covered with white and like chocolate stripes. And they used to be massive. And now they’re like smaller and smaller. They’re my favorite. And they used to be like 30p. Lord knows what they are now, but yeah.

Aaron
So there we go, so recommendations for Greg’s vegan sausage roll and so fab and Now you want now you’re coming on tour your dog do you? Is he left at home?

Luisa
She comes with me on the road, so she comes everywhere I go, Bernie goes, yeah, so she’ll be coming with me to Newcastle. I’m sure she’ll make an appearance, yeah.

Aaron
there you go so you can see Bernie and Louisa in Newcastle coming to the stand April 21st tickets are still available so we’ve got ours so we’re really looking forward to the show and is there any last messages you want to give the Newcastle public?

Luisa
Just that I love you and you’re great and just keep going because you’re the best and forget everyone else. Come to my show. Have fun. Yeah.

Aaron
Well thank you for your time today, really appreciate that. Thank you.

Luisa
No worries. Thank you for having me.

Sunday 21 April 2024 – The Stand Newcastle

https://www.thestand.co.uk/performance/16697/luisa-omielan-bitter/20240421/newcastle

Sunday 21 April 2024