Review: Isobel Rogers: How to Be Content, Fringe 2024

Good! Isobel went there! I don’t mean she explored what it might be like being invited into a polycule (but she did); I mean that she used ‘content’ to mean material you might find on social media and ‘content’ to mean satisfied and happy.

That wasn’t my only reason for booking a ticket to see “Isobel Rogers: How to Be Content” but it was one. I like musical comedy and have heard only good things about Isobel Rogers.

Now, I can say Isobel lives up to her billing. She’s witty, clever and articulate.

It’s a strange empathy that Isobel builds with the audience.

In search of happiness, or at least contentment, she portrays herself as sometimes a bit of a tyrant. An early joke, for example, is that there’s no audience engagement as that means ceding control, which she does not like. Later on, we’re judging whether or not being the head bride’s maid is worth it.

And yet, all the points Isobel makes seem fair, and true, and exactly what anyone else might be thinking.

Furthermore, Isobel is proven right time and time again as when she draws lines or makes judgement calls then people ultimately come around.

The challenge seems to be that content does not always make one content. Being truly content feels like an unlikely state of affairs.

Tone

Isobel Rogers is musical and cheeky. Cheeky in the young-person-defiant sense, and gosh, that sounds patronising so let me explain. Isobel seems to articulate what makes justifiable sense and then refuses to cave on that position.

Honestly, I feel that if I was a politician or someone like that, then I’d be wise to hire Isobel. She’s insightful, articulate and great at building arguments. However, if I was a politician, then I’d worry Isobel would replace me next year.

Musically, Isobel is easy-listening and worthy of paying attention to as there are clever and witty lyrics. It’s the sort of music that you might be lucky enough to find a charming pub playing on a live music night, except a bit saucier than some posh middle-England gastro pub might have.

Ultimately, I think How to Be Content is a fantastic show for you and a bunch of mates to go to. It’s safe enough for work friends as well. It helps if you know what an influencer is, but everyone must get the pressures of weddings, mums and babies.

There are even some thoughts about social media content.

What to expect

Isobel Rogers: How to Be Content is a one-woman show. It starts promptly; Isobel picks up the guitar almost immediately and rarely puts it down.

Don’t be late.

Pleasance Below is a good venue, especially if they’ve sorted the air conditioning. I’ve not had a bad experience there this year. There’s stacked seating, and you’ll get a reasonable seat.

There are jokes about being highbrow in the set, at least there was last night, but the truth is that the performance is actually pretty intellectual. I know they’re not synonyms, and while there is a very real thread about the things people have to do to save money, there are no fart jokes here, no strange noises, nothing edgelord, no caricatures of others, or anything that just shocks a laugh out of you. Instead, Isobel’s tactics almost lure you in with some pleasant music and then dare you think about what you’ve just heard.

Overall

I enjoyed “Isobel Rogers: How to Be Content” and would be keen to see her again.

Isobel’s show is musical, clever, and witty. I’m not quite sure how she builds such empathy with the audience, especially given some quite weird situations and some determined responses, but she does! And once we’re on her, Isobel’s battle to be content becomes our shared struggle.