OommoO – I Am A Walking Universe

The performance of "Oommoo" was a profoundly moving experience. The portrayal of systemic racism within the UK's healthcare system, particularly the discriminatory practices faced by black women, was both enlightening and deeply troubling. The term "black women curse," as used by some medical professionals, is a stark reminder of the prejudice that can pervade even the most trusted institutions. This show serves as a crucial call to action, highlighting the urgent need for change and the importance of listening to and valuing the stories of those affected.

The show was a powerful reminder that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right that should be afforded to everyone, without bias or exception. It emphasized that women and gender minorities of color must be treated with the utmost respect, care, and dignity. The creator, Lula, deserves commendation for bringing these narratives to the forefront, fostering a space for reflection, laughter, tears, and learning. It is a production that undoubtedly leaves a lasting impact, urging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for equity in healthcare.

Watching Oommoo was a beautiful, gut wrenching experience.
The fact that medical professionals in the UK “diagnose” black women with the “black women curse” is unacceptable and frankly disgusting. The fact these people whom we entrust with our lives use the word “curse”, dusting their hands off of any responsibility towards black women’s healthcare, is shocking and a disappointing but true reality of the systemic racism that affects too many in the UK.

It was an emotional and much needed show that I believe everyone needs to see. We need to allow ourselves to feel uncomfortable and listen to stories like the one portrayed in Oommoo, because everyone deserves the right to receive good medical care.

Woman (and gender minorities) of colour deserve to be treated with respect, care and dignity when seen by medical staff. It is the bare minimum and we are not even doing that.

Thank you Lula for shining a light on your own and others’ stories through your show. I laughed a lot, cried a lot and learnt a lot.

I felt moved on a deep, visceral level by this performance. I really don't have the words to describe the emotional journey that it took me on. All I will say is that the performer is talented beyond words, and it was inspirational to see her tackle such heart-wrenching, little-known and personal topics in such an honest and creative way. I recommend you go and see for yourself.

Powerful, moving, revealing, beautiful, educational, impressive.
At times funny and at times gut wrenching.
Lula Mebrahtu is incredibly talented technically, using Mi.Mu gloves created, programmed and looped using hand movements. However, these are only one set of tools she utilises to tell her story. She manages to weave together her own music, vocals, visuals and highly visceral physical performance in a kind of 'behind the scenes' of her own life story.
The result is a very affecting and humbling one of a kind experience.
You won't see anything else like this at Fringe. Go.
An incredible artist well worth following.

I do not feel that there is only one woman on the stage, instead, I feel like I have seen a misty crowd with many women who shared similar stories there through her spoken words.
OommoO makes me realized that normal life is rare and hard sometimes.
It is such a striking show.
Warm-hearted and touching.
Empowering women epic.

Was fortunate enough to see "episode 1" last year (I say that, but the story is not sequential at all and both stand alone as its own fixed story) and absolutely loved the show.

This one is a lot more personal about about uterine fibroids but she manages to tie in issues of visibility as a condition, privacy, racism and gender issues into a show that made me cry at points and laugh at others.

Particularly blown away by the use of technology. Very much worth going to spend money on with an incredibly personable performer who makes everyone feel very special and seen in her "studio".

Highly recommend getting involved with the call and responses. Great show.

OommoO is a very unique kind of performance with many layers that are hard to encapsulate in a few words. I saw both the first show in this series performed last year and, after that, had to come back to see this one. I worried that it may not be as good as the last one, that it may even tarnish my memory of it. It didn't... It enhanced it and I saw even more layers as the performance unfolded.

So many shows at Edinburgh are about heroes, defiant protesters and remarkable actions. This is about an individual, a heroine herself, but heroic in her vulnerability in talking about her experience of an illness that affects black women significantly more than any other ethnic group. In her vulnerability, you are also given insight into the mistreatment of black women in our medical system and how western thinking may at best neglect, and even potentially harm the bodies of black people.

This performer has a knack of linking true stories of individuals who would not make the news or be known to the world for their heroics with important messages about the effects that our systems continue to have on ordinary people, particularly black people. Her unique way of telling stories also gives a deep sense of the emotional. This is not a narrative (although it can still be understood if you do only listen to the narrative)... it is an embodiment of what the person felt throughout the story, jumbled, but clearly there.

You do not need any knowledge of the first show to enjoy this one. The link is mainly in the type of storytelling they both use. I have never written a review before as I normally can't be bothered. I didn't write one after seeing OommoO last year despite planning to when I got back home. The fact that this review is here is testament to how remarkable this show actually is.

This is an important voice telling an important story. Go listen!