The Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ, whilst an impressive venue, is not particularly known for live theatre, being more associated with comedy and music. So it is refreshing to see them programme Life with Oscar, a solo show from the UK with an apt “Brit out of water” narrative. Surprisingly, the rock ’n’ roll vibe of the space proved a perfect match for a story exploring the allure and illusion of Hollywood. For one captivating evening, the audience was transported from Rutherford to the glittering world of the Academy Awards — a place where nothing is quite as it seems.
Written and performed by Nick Cohen, Life with Oscar is a razor-sharp autobiographical tragicomedy that blends biting humor with moments of genuine poignancy. Over the course of 85 fast-paced minutes, Cohen takes us through the heartbreak and absurdity of chasing cinematic dreams. The story begins in England, where a wide-eyed aspiring filmmaker heads to Los Angeles determined to crack the entertainment industry, build the “right” connections, and secure a coveted Oscar nomination for his short film.
As Nick — and the audience — quickly discover, talent and creativity mean little compared to politics, power, and proximity to fame. The world he enters is filled with a dizzying array of characters: some merely questionable, others outright grotesque. His “nice British guy” persona becomes both a shield and a flaw, as his refusal to compromise his integrity leaves him teetering on the edges of Hollywood’s ruthless social ladder. By the end, you may find yourself rooting not for his big break, but for his escape from the toxicity of Tinseltown.
The performance is nothing short of magnetic. On a bare stage with minimal props, Cohen conjures entire worlds through his body and voice alone, shifting seamlessly between comedy and pathos. His physicality is electrifying: precise yet fluid, energetic yet deeply nuanced. Life with Oscar is physical theatre at its purest — intimate, powerful, and profoundly human.
There was something personally I found transfixing about watching this man play 29 different characters, switching so rapidly between them and between the different times and worlds they inhabited. I found I reacted very differently to all of them.
I was absolutely mesmerized, laughing, empathizing, and ultimately moved as he traced his journey from toddlerhood to adulthood, navigating 29 unforgettable encounters on his quest for an Oscar statuette.
I had a couple of minor criticisms. Occasionally, the relentless high-energy physicality felt overwhelming; I would have welcomed moments of stillness and silence to let both performer and audience catch their breath. Likewise, the fragments of projected film were sometimes so brief they were difficult to fully grasp. Then again, this frenzy seemed an accurate reflection of the cocaine-fuelled world Cohen depicts, where speed and chaos rule.
The show’s narrative feels almost like someone free associating ideas, yet beneath the surface lies a carefully crafted structure. Recurring motifs and themes weave the story together, supported by subtle lighting and sound design that set moods and locations without ever overshadowing the performance.
What makes Life with Oscar truly special is its balance of biting satire and emotional depth. Cohen’s wit and sharp character work deliver consistent laughter, while a darker undercurrent speaks to ambition, identity, and the cost of chasing external validation. For anyone who has ever dreamed of “making it,” the piece offers a sobering but oddly comforting reminder: sometimes the bravest choice is to walk away.
In the end, Life with Oscar is more than a cautionary tale about the entertainment industry — it’s a celebration of storytelling itself. With just one actor and a bare stage, Cohen creates a vivid, chaotic, and deeply human world, transporting the audience from Rutherford to the glittering, treacherous heart of Hollywood. And what a madcap, unforgettable ride it is.
ARTIUM: OMNI 