Am I right Oxford? Comedian Luisa Omielan heads to the Glee Club

For the first time in her life comedian Luisa Omielan is stumped. Instead of touring the world to rapturous applause and hysterical laughter, the 32-year-old comic is sat at home in London, staring at her keyboard and wondering where to begin.

Having signed a book deal, she has committed her innate sense of humour to the page instead and now has writer’s block.

“I haven’t a clue how to get started. I know how to make people laugh on stage but on paper........,” she says biting her lip.

She needn’t worry because as soon as Luisa gets going she will have us all spellbound, and having had a stupendous four years since launching her career, the world of comedy now lies fawning at her feet.

However, last time we spoke it was a very different story.

The new stand-up’s show What Would Beyonce Do? described how she’d been dumped by her long term boyfriend, moved back in with her parents and her depressed brother and how she was trying to launch a comedy career that was going nowhere.

And then suddenly she was the name on everyone’s lips.

Her show sold out everywhere, she was the big hit of Edinburgh Fringe, lauded in Australia, and her largely female fanbase went through the roof. The new queen of comedy had arrived.

Then came the follow-up show Am I Right Ladies? which was even more acclaimed. Gigs at The Royal Albert Hall, Soho Theatre, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and a world tour followed. So what is it about Luisa’s show that has caught the public’s imagination?

“The shows are like a little party, an event, which the audiences love. They sell by word-of-mouth and I have a very loyal following so I’m very lucky,” she says.

But can she define them? “I suppose they are fresh and original, but more importantly they are very honest and fun.

And while they are funny they are also about real life.

“Because life is funny so let’s talk about it. I just write about what I know.”

It means that not only do women around the world howl at Luisa’s antics but empathise with her as well.

“Well there is comedy in most things and it’s great to be able to share that.

“And while I live in the big city now in Kentish Town, sharing a flat, I’m still single and still working, so nothing else has really changed. I still have to get the bus home,” she says.

Neither will Luisa be resting on her laurels.

Next up on the comedian’s hit list is TV, and then she’s touring Australia again before hitting the US – utterly at home in the limelight, sharing her private life with her fans.

“I wish the TV industry would catch up quicker on what comedy people are watching and going to see now,” she sighs.

Because whether in front of a TV screen or a live audience, Luisa is equally as at home.

“Some people find it really hard being on stage and it’s their worst nightmare, but I love it – running about half naked. I’m in my element,” she tells me.

In the meantime, to keep her hand in while she writes her book, she is coming to Oxford’s Glee Club on Saturday night “to keep me on my toes” and get rid of some of her frustration, joining the Saturday night comedy line-up alongside Jimmy McGhie, Laura Lexx and Jon Pearson “It’s very different to my show. It’s just gag, gag, gag. You have to prove yourself. And the crowd is much more impatient and expects a fast pace.

“So I will be starting from scratch and winning them over.”

But before she can come back with her next solo act, she needs to write it first. So what will it be about?

“It is going to be called Famous With A Baby, but as it’s going to write itself it may be a while away,” she says wryly.

And what does Luisa look for in a man?

“Someone who’s sure of themselves, not someone who wants to put me down or try to be funnier or is threatened by me.

“Because when I meet guys and they find out I’m a comedian they always either tell me a joke or ask me to. So I’d like to meet someone who has nothing to do with comedy and I tend not to mention what I do when I’m out.

“AndI hate it when they don’t ask you any questions about yourself,” she says warming up, “But then I hardly go out these days because I’m working all the time so it will probably be hard to find anyone,” she says glumly.

All grist to the mill though? “Yes, but I’d like to get to a point in my life where not all of it can be made into a joke,” she concludes thoughtfully.

Form an orderly queue please.

Where and when
Luisa Omielan plays Glee Club, Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford on Saturday
Tickets from glee.co.uk or call 0871 472 0400