Sharply satirical, with the poetic lyrics to match, Isobel Rogers’s work navigates the messiness of relationships in a chronically online world, using her songs as a comic vehicle to deliver home truths and hot takes.

Isobel began writing songs as a resident artist and musician at The Roundhouse in Camden where she honed her wit and ear for great melodies. Combining her experience as an actress, singer and musician, she debuted her theatre/comedy show ELSA to sell-out runs at Vault Festival, Pleasance, Soho Theatre, Brighton Komedia and Brasserie Zedel.

Rogers talks to us about her upcoming show 'How To Be Content', working at the Almeida Theatre and so much more.

Thank you for speaking with ReVamp, what are 3 words to describe your comedy style?

Musical, surprising, honest.

Growing up, was comedy/writing something you always wanted to get into, or did you mostly do it as a hobby?

My main hobby/professional activity growing up was swimming! I trained 7 times a week, getting up at 5am before and after school and then competing at weekends which gave me a lot of thinking time underwater, where I’d make up songs. I watched Victoria Wood and Acorn Antiques and loved that whole world so much but it felt very separate from my mostly underwater life…is this the plot to The Little Mermaid? I also did drama and played guitar (on land) but I didn’t combine the two.

Who inspired you to start in the comedy world?

I worked at BBC’s Home Front as a researcher and production assistant and the team included some amazing women who really encouraged me to write with my own voice and perspective on the world. I wrote a theatre show that had lots of characters in it and I felt like I’d found my style of writing. Usually comics start on the open mic circuit but I was writing quite long-form songs and stories which didn’t seem to fit within traditional stand up. I’ve started doing gigs more recently and it’s cool to see what works in a club instead of a show
which might require more context.

How To Be Content at Pleasance Courtyard is coming up, how are you preparing for the show?

I’m doing previews / WIPs where I find out whether new jokes or song lyrics fly in front of an audience. I try to make the songs as polished as possible before performing and give space to play with some of the chat in-between. I had a really fun day of rehearsals with Ellen Robertson who’s an actor and writer in the sketch group Britney and her notes were incredibly helpful, she was able to tap into my voice and offer cuts that I’d been avoiding. I’m sending voice notes to friends who I check my lyrics with and know will be honest.

It is a musical/comedy show, how do you blend the two to get the perfect mixture?

It’s mainly songs, and I see the chat in between as having a different tone and affording the chance to connect with the audience in a more conversational way after reams of lyrics. I’ve really enjoyed experimenting with other music in this show and have included one song with
electronic beats, another on piano and there are some strings in the intro song too. It’s a nice contrast from when it’s just me and the guitar where the emphasis has to be more on the lyrics as there’s less musical variety. Varying the attention paid to the music in this way
keeps the whole thing much more dynamic and engaging.

You are currently working with the Almeida Theatre on a new musical, can you tell us a little bit more about that?

I love working with the Almeida, I think they put on some of the most exciting stories in theatre and everyone who I’ve worked with there has been brilliant, but in terms of the musical it’s at very early stages so I can’t really say anything at the moment.

What can we expect from the new musical, and what are you most looking forward to when people watch it?

I’d love people to feel like they’re watching something completely new but with a sense of familiarity. Musicals carry so much tradition in style which I want to both honour and subvert.

What are 3 things you do to ease the stress before performing?

I check my guitar is in tune and run through the chords, maybe shot some Bach’s Rescue Remedy, do some vocal warm ups while stretching to try and get relaxed / pretend I’m in a noughties dance movie.

Isobel Rogers: How To Be Content is on at 5.50pm in Pleasance Courtyard from the 2nd - 25th August. Tickets HERE!