Isobel Rogers
Published: Tuesday 30th July 2024
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week that person is Isobel Rogers, the comedian and composer who makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut this week, with a suitably harmonious hour.
"How to Be Content is a show about falling in love under imperfect circumstances, how the choices we make are affected by money, family, gender and all these complicated contexts," Rogers responds.
"I wanted a 'how to' in the title as there's a real spike in reels, books and articles about 'ways to be happy' in the past few years. I think as everyone feels more atomised and the future feels less predictable people turn to quick fixes to solve things, unstable times politically cause an increase in reels about skincare, which is both funny and concerning."
It certainly is. And what else is Rogers - who burst through as a resident artist/musician at London's legendary Roundhouse venue - up to, right now?
"I'm also working on a musical and want to make an album of the songs in this show, so lots of songwriting," she says. This project "has been in the pipeline for a while as a lot of the songs have come from life experiences and then the others more specifically around this title over the past year. I wanted to go up to Edinburgh in the right circumstances with production support as it's a lot to invest in, so I've waited until the time is right."
The time is now. Isobel Rogers, your Random 8 await.
What was your childhood career dream?
I looked in those 'About me' books you fill in as a child and in the 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' bit I've written "swimming actress lawyer" because I was a really good swimmer when I was a child but also liked acting and I think the lawyer thing was because I used to watch Ally McBeal behind the sofa when my mum was watching and it seemed like a lot of dating and dancing and therefore a solid, stable career alternative.
Which live event would you love to have attended?
Madonna in her Ray of Light era, Queen at Live Aid. My friend got us tickets to a basketball game in New York that was cancelled because of an apocalyptic smog covering the whole city. I was looking forward to that all-American immersive experience so shout out to global warming for cancelling that live event.
How do you feel about cats (the animal, not the musical)?
I'm so allergic to them and they love me for it, because cats, much like humans, want what they can't have, they sense I have to avoid them so immediately approach. But I really like their slinky attitude and they're a little less needy than dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs are cool because they have more cat-like characteristics and I don't have to be hospitalised if I stroke them.
I love Cats the musical too. Sorry for answering that question.
What's the best thing in your wardrobe?
I have a reversible jacket which I'm pretty into. Both options of colour and texture are good and versatile. And a black tabard sweater-vest that my friend Agnes lent me for my Edinburgh poster shoot and I need to return to her. It shouldn't be in my wardrobe.
Which film/TV show would you love to have been in - and which part?
I would like to play Andrea in Call My Agent or The President of the United States in Veep but I would want Julius Louis-Dreyfus to still play her and Camille Cottin to play Andrea. So maybe I just admire those women in those roles. Solid answer: Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd in any film / TV / stage show past, present or future.
What should be Britain's next national anthem, and why?
Elton John's Bennie and the Jets because he's got a lot of experience playing at national events, is pop royalty and it's good for the nation to sing "she's got electric boots, a mohair suit, you know I read it in a magaziiiiine" and not know the rest of the lyrics.
Or Club Classics [by] Charli XCX as it's a banger and is very much of the moment, so it will be funny to hear that sung in 1,000 years' time when the clubs are on the moon.
What's the worst thing you ever bought?
Not so much bought but picked up... I found an activated charcoal sheet face mask (sealed and wrapped) outside someone's house on the street that they were giving away and it set my face on fire.
Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?
I've just been to my boyfriend's 98 year-old grandma's birthday and she's probably up there. I read her memoir about growing up during the Second World War and her writing style describes events and emotions in a very touching and matter of fact way. I love stoic people because they talk about worlds outside of themselves, whereas I talk about the world in relation to myself.
Isobel Rogers: How to Be Content played at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
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