Luisa Omielan explains her feelings to Katherine Macalister

Luisa Omielan was at rock bottom when she wrote her new show What Would Beyonce Do? She’d been dumped by her long term boyfriend, moved back in with her parents, her brother was suicidal and her career going nowhere, so she did what any normal comedian would do under the circumstances, and wrote a show about it.

What Would Beyonce Do? is the result, and it became such an overnight success that Luisa is still touring and has become the ’new’ face to watch.

“It’s so exciting,” the 31 year-old squeaks, “because although I always knew I’d have a career in comedy and that I would be successful, nothing was happening so I just had to keep going.”

So what made the difference? “I was honest and truthful and talked about things that were painful. It was more of an ‘up yours’ to the world, so I’m going to dance and talk about depression and play Beyonce music’.

“And it just blew up from there. It’s by me for my friends, for people like me. So it’s crazy but its been a long time coming.”

Which means Luisa is thoroughly enjoying the media exposure: “It’s great to be in Vogue and Grazia because that’s what I read and I want to be talking to the women who read those magazines. I can look cute when I want to and I love getting glammed up on stage.”

And all because of Beyonce. So how did the American pop star spur Luisa on? “Beyonce is a great friend and I put a picture of her on my wall when I moved back home because I’m the same age as she is, except that while I was living with my mother Beyonce was selling out arenas.”

Something to aspire to then, although Luisa has got her own place now. “I’ve moved out. I’m an independent woman. I have my own room in a shared house but I’ve achieved a lot in a year,” she says proudly.

“I’m not alone though. Lots of my friends who went to uni and thought they’d take on the world are now living at home with their parents. I am the voice of my generation so people identify with me.”

Even so, sharing her private life with strangers is a brave move, which Luisa acknowledges. “I didn’t plan on being that honest. I just expected to talk about it to a few people in a little pub in Scotland. But word at the Edinburgh Fringe got out and its been an amazing year since. But what’s nicest is that it’s all mine, so no one can take it away from me.”

What Would Beyonce Do? has seen Luisa playing gigs in New York, LA and the Soho Theatre, with Oxford’s Old Fire Station being next on her hit list. So does that put added pressure on?

“The tricky second album? No, I’m not worried about it. In fact I’m excited. “Things are just beginning for me and it’s about time so I’m just going to get out there and enjoy it.”

Won’t all this happiness get in the way though? “What am I going to do? I’ll be rubbish and won’t be able to think of any jokes,” she laughs. “Maybe I’ll need to have an affair with a married man and mess things up again, but something will mess up over the next few months. And anyway, the best way to get through things is with a sense of humour.”

SEE IT: Luisa Omielan – What Would Beyonce Do? comes to Oxford’s Old Fire Station in George Street tomorrow night. Call the box office on 01865 263980