Soul star Omar Lyefook shines in this dramatic one-man monologue, incorporating his music and songs in a tale of love lost and found.Written by Ché Walker, English Touring Theatres production is presented upstairs at the Pleasance Dome, in a perfect seedy nightclub setting. Lyefook plays Oscar, a down-on-his-luck, drug-addled singer. Missing the only woman he has loved, his journey through the dark side of his soul is at times harrowing but ultimately redemptive.Theres strong language and sex in a desolate urban landscape of broken dreams, exposing a man who has nothing to hold on to anymore, unable to write music, existing in a self-destructive cycle of hookers, booze and cocaine. Omar is almost too believable as Oscar. You find yourself hating the man that he has become at the same time as rooting for him to sort himself out. Not for the faint hearted, there are laughs and striking images along the way the woman carved out of stilton cheese will stay with me for a long time. The music is blended seamlessly with the narrative, which builds to Oscar finding love in an unexpected conclusion. Omars voice is incredible - strong, smooth and full of emotion and it feels like a real privilege to see such talent. While the staging is at times a little too static, in part necessitated by Omars keyboard playing, this show is highly recommended.
