Actress and playwright Faith Omole's hidden London

Times

25-06-2025

This time last year, the Alfred Fagon award-winning writer and actress Faith Omole was celebrating a milestone: the debut of her first play at the Bush Theatre. 'It was such a full-circle moment,' she reflects. 'I've loved that theatre for a long time, and I'm so incredibly proud I had my production debut in that space.'
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.
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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.
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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.
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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