Isabel Songer speaks to We Love Brighton about her upcoming Brighton Fringe show: Flat 4.
Set within the close quarters of a university two-bedroom flat, this powerful one-woman show offers a raw, poetic dive into the joys and complexities of female friendship.
Blending theatre with spoken word, the performance captures the intimate, often messy realities of two young women in their early twenties sharing a home—and a life stage. In this cramped space, there’s little room to hide from walking red flags, toxic habits, and the echoes of unhealthy relationships.
Told through a single performer, the show is both a celebration and an unflinching examination of what it means to find your soulmate in a best friend—and what happens when that bond is tested.
At once tender, sharp, and achingly familiar, this is a story of friendship at its most intense: the love, the laughter, the fallouts, and the growing pains of early adulthood.
Who is your show for?
I wrote the show I wish my 21-year-old self could have seen, as she sacrificed her friendships, social life and relationships, all so she could fit to an impossible body standard. The incentive behind Flat 4, is to teach young women that there is so much more to life than losing weight, through a play that celebrates platonic love. If female friendship has played a pivotal role in your life, Flat 4 is the show for you!
Why should people come and see it?
The story of this friendship offers a raw portrayal of the struggles young women are faced with today. Protagonist Alex, after failing to support her flat-mate Bex at a time where she needed her most, shares her of story of regret, showing that while mistakes shape us, they do not define us. People will leave Komedia holding their friendships that little bit tighter, as the show inspires those to appreciate the power and intricacy of platonic love. Despite its serious themes, the piece is layered with releases of comedy and nostalgia. Throughout Alex and Bex’s journey, familiar characters emerge, and relatable university experiences unfold. The narrative will transport audiences back to the naivety and recklessness of their early 20s. Come to watch Flat 4, to see a piece that embraces the flaws, complications and regrets that have formed us into the people we are today.
Have you performed at the Fringe before?
I previously performed at Brighton Fringe 2024, premiering my show Flat 4 at the Rotunda Theatre after winning the 2024 Bursary Award with Pebble Trust. This year, the show is touring to Buxton, Manchester, and the Edinburgh Fringe—but I wanted to kickstart the fringe season with Flat 4 at Brighton. Since its original run, Flat 4 has grown massively, now featuring an added perspective: Bex. Her voice brings a vital new layer to the piece, shedding light on both sides of a very complicated friendship.
What do you love about Brighton Fringe?
I love how close and supportive the community is at Brighton Fringe. From local shops to fellow artists and media like We Love Brighton, everyone is so keen to support your show’s journey. I feel so lucky to live in a town that celebrates independent artists!
What do you love about Brighton?
I love how everything is on your doorstep, yet there’s still something new to discover every day! You can leave the house and bump into someone you know, stumble upon a new shop, and be overwhelmed with choices for cute independent cafés. Some of my favourite writing spots are tucked away in a café in the lanes with a latte.
Are there any other shows you are excited to see?
Indeed—I am super excited to see Sluts with Consoles, which is being performed at Komedia the day before me (27th May, 8pm). I was definitely guilty of using the phrase “not like other girls,” so I’m looking forward to seeing some comedy come from that (as I’m often making fun of my past self). And RANK, which is on at Ironworks Studios on 8th May at 7:00pm—I love seeing other shows about female friendship, especially when the characters don’t have it together.
Flat 4 is on at Komedia on May 28 at 9.30pm.
Tickets: Brighton Fringe
Venue: 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1UN
