Actress and playwright Faith Omole's hidden London
Omole, a British-Nigerian creative powerhouse who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, is no stranger to London's most iconic stages. Her acting credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe, An Ideal Husband in the West End and Standing at the Sky's Edge at the National Theatre, which earned her an Olivier nomination. But beyond performance, she feels most comfortable in the wings. 'I wrote my first play in a quiet corner of the Globe, in between rehearsals and shows, and you can often find me tucked away at the National,' she says.
Omole, based in southeast London, is now adapting a musical version of Alexander McCall Smith's prize-winning novel The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
• My Father's Fable review — Faith Omole's family saga brims with wit
I've lived in north London, east and west for a bit, but southeast London is home for me. It's the best vibe.
After that, anywhere along the South Bank. I've worked at the Globe and the National and I always get so happy when I finish a show in the evening, then make my way home along the river to get to a station. The South Bank's also where I started writing. Much like many other writers, you'll find me three coffees and a traybake down, trying to finish a scene. Something about that area makes me feel hopeful and excited.
When you get off at your stop on the Tube — move. Do not amble. You pick an exit and you head for it. You weave in and out of the people, and you walk fast or you may well get stuck down there. And always have your contactless card ready, because someone is probably late for work and you will feel their wrath.
I started rock climbing last year and my husband and I go as often as we can. Substation in Brixton is my favourite. I'm not even getting better, I just love to go.
I'd definitely recommend [the Indian restaurant] Ganapati in Peckham, it's really tasty. Even thinking about it has me wanting to head there right now.
Finally, check out The Bookshop on the Heath in Blackheath. It's so nice in there and has a great mixture of old and new books.
• Read more London Loves stories
I would spend a day with Malorie Blackman in the early 2000s. Her books had a major impact on me as a young girl. I finished Noughts & Crosses at 3am, then went to school the next day and forced my friends to read it too. I'd love to go for coffee with Malorie in those early days, as she was creating her book.
I'm obsessed with Raye right now. She is incredible. Her voice is crazy and the songs are just too good. Her journey in her industry inspires me as a writer and actor.
There's a massive community of artists here and they inspire me all the time. I think it's great to have so much access to new writing in London, [and] really important that we celebrate great and brave work in theatre. It's equally important we give young people access. So many shows changed my life and gave me the tools to understand emotional and societal complexities. I hope we can continue to champion the arts so that young people in schools can experience that too.
I want the buses to go back to being 70p for adults — what a time. I want all public transport to be cheaper to be honest. Although because of the prices, I do walk a lot more to get around London … silver linings.
I'd start the day with hot yoga, a run or some climbing. Then I'd meet up with friends for brunch and have a really good coffee and a catch-up. One of my best friends and I often have a book day: we head to a bookstore — probably the big Waterstones in Green Park — and stay in there for ages to read all the blurbs of the newly released fiction. Then we buy a book or two … or three. After that, I'd head to the cinema (and watch Ryan Coogler's Sinners again, because wow) or the theatre with my husband. If not that, we'd find a restaurant we haven't been to yet.
The most recent experience that comes to mind is watching the Euro 2024 final at a pub in Balham with family and friends. I really thought it was coming home. Also, the energy when England scored — electric. Everyone hugging strangers, jumping up and down and dropping drinks all over the place.
• Evita on the Palladium balcony — and theatre's eight greatest wow moments
So many coffee chains. And wi-fi on the tube. My hope in general is that we'll find a way to be less taken up with social media — it's overstimulating.
There's a beautiful number of different cultures in London. I love being able to tell stories that acknowledge and/or celebrate that. Similarly, it's a buzzing city full of lots of people. Character nuance is found when you interact with that and take an interest in different individuals.
It is the greatest honour to perform on stages on which people who have inspired me have performed. There are many full-circle moments. I can still remember sitting in the audience of the National at 15 and watching Fiona Shaw in Mother Courage and thinking, 'I want to do that.' And then watching Oedipus with my drama class and thinking, 'Oh wow, that's how you tell stories.' Likewise with writing — watching my play My Father's Fable open at the Bush was surreal. I've loved that theatre for a long time. I'd like to think I never take a performance or a writing commission for granted.
Broadway.
Omole is rehearsing Intimate Apparel at the Donmar Warehouse, running Jun 20-Aug 9. Angel, a TV series she wrote with her husband, Paul Syrstad, and her brother Kenneth, will be released this summer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Roman army descends on Birdlip for festival
A recreated Roman army has marched on a quiet Cotswolds village - as part of a new festival celebrating the history of the area. Sunday morning saw the first ever Birdlip Roman Festival transform the village, with historical costumes and displays put on show by enthusiasts. Gloucestershire's Roman heritage was also on display, with archaeological activities put on by a number of organisations including the Museum of Gloucester and Coronium Museum. Festivalgoer Martin Smith told the BBC he was "super excited" about the event, adding: "I like [learning about] their day-to-day life and learning how they would have lived in this landscape during the period." Fellow attendee Kate Peake, who visited with her daughter and her mother Angela - who made her costume - said it was "brilliant" to have a Roman festival in the area. "We live just down the road, we love history and we thought we'd dress up to come and visit today," she added. Re-enactment group the Ermine Street Guard took a starring role in Sunday's festival, marching through the village in authentically recreated military wear. The area boasts a rich Roman history, with the ancient civilisation making Gloucester a key site for its empire, and many important archaeological finds have been uncovered throughout the years. Hundreds of people attended the festival, with a number of stalls selling local products, antiques and food also forming part of the event. As well as local museums putting on displays, Cotswold Archaeology and Chedworth Roman Villa were also on site with family-friendly activities.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
We pay male escorts up to £300 an hour for mind-blowing sex – people think it's sleazy but there are so many benefits
SICK of disappointing dates or boring bedroom action? For countless women, the thought of another uninspired romp is enough to make them scream into their pillows. But what if the most extreme solution was also the smartest? Forget waiting for romance — increasing numbers of women are now taking matters (and pleasure) into their own hands, by paying for exactly what they want, when they want it. In fact, one in 20 married women over 50 are now so unhappy with their sex lives, they would consider turning to male escorts to spice things up. It's not just fed-up wives, either — younger women are also ditching dating apps, swapping swipes for guaranteed satisfaction with gigolos. Type 'male escort' into TikTok and thousands of videos pop up, with clean-cut hunks explaining why smart, successful women fork out for their services. And far from keeping it quiet, young women are now openly sharing their escort experiences. PA Laura Fox, 29, from Walsall, West Midlands, turned to escorts after her last relationship fizzled out. 'I've always been fascinated by escorts,' she says. 'When I was 19, I found out my friend's mum used to hire them to accompany her to events. 'Until that point, I'd assumed escorts were something men used — not women. 'But seeing how she carried herself changed my view.' Far from being sleazy or taboo, Laura suddenly saw escorts as 'the ultimate power move', with women in control. So when, aged 26, she was newly single after the end of a three-year relationship, using an escort seemed a no-brainer. 'I just wasn't ready for the faff of dating apps — the endless scrolling, the awkward messaging, the guys who want to sext but never meet,' she says. 'Then I remembered my friend's mum and had a real eureka moment.' Curious, Laura chatted to some pals who directed her to Gentlemen4hire, the UK's longest-running male escort company. From the hundreds of men on offer, she selected a well-groomed man in his thirties called James. 'NO GAME-PLAYING' 'Since I didn't have a work do or wedding to attend, I looked into 'boyfriend experiences' — basically male escorts who'll take you on dates and act the part, no questions asked,' she says. 'James was tall, dark and handsome and we had similar interests, such as good food and loving animals. 'We discussed fees — escorts typically cost from £220 per hour — and boundaries, such as what's included, what's not. 'It was strangely reassuring and James was clear, polite and respectful.' Laura arranged to meet her date in a local gastropub, but admits she was a bag of nerves beforehand. She says: 'I almost didn't go in. "But James instantly put me at ease, asking lots of questions and being friendly and kind. "It felt like a normal date — except I knew exactly how the night would go. 'There was no game-playing, no awkward 'will-he-won't-he?' tension. 'And the fee even covered the meal, so it was like I was out with a guy who'd paid for dinner, too.' Laura says her first escort experience was like a 'typical first date', with a kiss on the cheek at the end of the night, not red-hot passion. 'I didn't want to be worrying about sex the first time,' she explains. 'But after that I just booked what I fancied that day. 'And every time we did 'do the deed', it certainly lived up to expectations.' Since that first date, Laura has paid for more than ten experiences — sometimes because she's wanted male company, other times because she's craved a night of satisfying sex. Escorts tend to be experienced, attentive and entirely focused on my pleasure — a rare combo these days Laura Fox 'Some nights end with a goodbye hug, others with fireworks,' she smiles. 'Honestly, sex with an escort is often better than a one-night stand. "Escorts tend to be experienced, attentive and entirely focused on my pleasure — a rare combo these days. 'And you skip all the usual emotional admin that comes with dating. 'There are no mixed signals, no awkward texts the next day, no-one nicking your duvet at 3am.' Given all the benefits, Laura says it's no wonder so many ordinary women are paying for pleasure. 'I totally get why more and more of them are doing this,' she says. 'It's not just a man's world any more — we're taking control of our pleasure, our time, and our expectations. It's win-win.' 'NO PRESSURE' Despite the considerable costs, Laura plans to continue using escorts until she meets Mr Right. And despite her glowing reviews of the men she's hired, she's never been in danger of getting emotionally attached. She says: 'I guess some people do, but I don't because one of the reasons I started paying for escorts was because I wasn't ready for a serious relationship.' Like Laura, Natasha Greenwood, 34, from London, says booking escorts has been a game-changer. The PR executive, whose last long-term relationship ended seven years ago, reveals: 'For me, engaging with male escorts has become a way to explore my sexuality and seek companionship on my own terms. 'I turned to escorts after growing tired of the dating scene — boring men, boring sex and endless swiping on apps. "So I thought: 'Why not?'' Despite feeling on edge in the build-up to her first encounter, Natasha says her jitters were short-lived. 'Surprisingly, I felt very relaxed and enjoyed the whole experience,' she says. 'I had to pay a ten per cent deposit up front, which felt a bit strange. "But this was to cover the dinner. 'Afterwards, we went to a hotel for sex. It wasn't cheap — £300 per hour — but it was worth every penny.' For Natasha, who says passion dwindled two years into her last relationship, getting her needs met between the sheets is a huge plus of using gigolos. 'When I'm with a male escort, I feel free to ask for exactly what I want in bed. "There's no shame, no second-guessing and no pressure to be anything but myself. I can be bolder, kinkier and more experimental. 'I get to enjoy sex with a hot, confident man, with no strings attached. It's like dating on steroids.' Natasha admits there is still a stigma around women 'and particularly black women' using escorts, but stresses there's nothing sleazy about the practice. 'I appreciate the professionalism and discretion these men bring,' she explains. 'It allows me to fully enjoy the moment without the emotional minefield that can come with relationships. 'I keep male escorts on rotation, too. It's like having a fun new plaything every couple of months.' Using escorts doesn't come cheap and Natasha is spending less on holidays and other luxuries. Her friends and family are well aware of her escort use, as she often hires them as a 'plus one' for events or dinners. But she prefers to enjoy her escort experiences away from her own home. 'SEXUAL FREEDOM' 'We always end the night at a hotel. I prefer it that way,' she says. 'My space is mine and the fun stays just where I want it.' While some may raise eyebrows at the idea of so many women enjoying escorting services, both Laura and Natasha say that when it comes to intimacy, paying for what they desire has opened up a new world of sexual freedom. 'Everyone has the right to seek pleasure, intimacy and connection in ways that feel right to them,' says Natasha. 'This isn't about being desperate or giving up on love — it's reclaiming my pleasure and prioritising fulfilling, joyful experiences, in and out of the bedroom.' Names have been changed BUT REMEMBER: STAY SAFE SAFETY should always come first, says Sun sexpert Georgie Culley. When booking an escort, stick to reputable agencies. Too-good-to-be-true prices are a red flag. Generally, escorts from legitimate agencies will cost £150-plus per hour. Before meeting, arrange a video call first, so you can verify who they are and set clear boundaries. Ask to see their ID, too. Always meet in a public place such as a restaurant or bar first. And let a trusted friend know where you'll be and who you're meeting. Avoid sharing personal details like your home address until you feel comfortable. Never transfer money in advance, unless it's through a trusted agency platform. If you do make it to the bedroom, always practise safe sex. Due to the nature of their job, escorts will likely be sleeping with lots of people, so always use condoms. Most importantly, trust your gut. If anything feels off, walk away. Your safety and comfort are key.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Cooking with the Stars viewers rage ‘that's not cooking!' as the slam ITV show's latest challenge
COOKING With The Stars viewers fumed 'that's not cooking!' as they hit out at the latest challenge. The ITV show sees eight celebrities paired with a professional chef who acts as their mentor. 4 4 4 Fans were left very unimpressed by episode three's opening challenge. The six remaining stars cooked Roast Beef and Yorkshire Puddings - by using an air fryer. One viewer wrote on X: "Banging stuff in an air fryer isn't cooking.#cookingwiththestars." Another added: "Bring on the battle of the Air fryers #CookingWithTheStars." A third penned: "F*****g air frying? Are you joking." While a fourth chimed in: "Nope, #cookingwiththestars I don't think roast beef & Yorkshire pudding is an air fryer thing. "How are you going to get a decent gravy?" After further challenges, Hugh Dennis and Shaun Wright-Phillips ended up in the bottom two. Outnumbered star Hugh, 63, was eliminated after receiving less votes from the judges. Last week, Love Island legend Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu faced author and interiors expert Kelly Hoppen when they both landed in the bottom two. Cooking with the Stars viewers want to vomit as Ekin-Su and Kelly Hoppen serve up 'dog poo' The women were tasked with creating chocolate eclairs alongside a strawberry and champagne granita, as their fellow celebrities and professionals watched on. They only had 50 minutes to create their dishes and seemed like disaster from the outset. However, both stars failed to gradually add the eggs for the choux pastry which would go on to make the body of the chocolate eclairs. "That was like choosing between dog s*** and cat sick," wrote one fan on X, Another added: "Jesus those 'eclairs' are the worst thing I've ever seen." A third commented: "I don't envy the chefs having to deal with those eclairs...." Love Island star Ekin-Su became the second celeb eliminated from the competition. 4
