Hi,
Try taking a picture (I realize that you cannot “see” in the camera’s LCD display, what you are taking) and download it to a computer.
''If there is an image'' then most likely there is a problem with the LCD display (or perhaps the connection to the display).
Here’s a link to the ifixit [guide|39733] guide which may be of some help.
Replacement LCD screens are available online. Just search for ''Olympus E PL1 lcd screen part'' to get results for suppliers of the part.
''If there is a black image'' then there may be a problem with the camera’s CCD sensor or perhaps the motherboard.