Flat 4

I spoke to Isabel Songer, writer and performer of Flat 4, a one woman play about platonic love and friendship, coming to Camden Fringe this summer. Here's what she had to tell me about her heartfelt and personal piece that brings to life the beauty and hardship of friendship!

We see so much theatre written about romantic relationships, what was it about platonic love that made you compelled to write about it?

I felt that there is so much media teaching us how to navigate our romantic relationships, but so little about friendship! I became frustrated seeing friendships having so little influence on the plot. Throughout my life, relationships have come and gone, but my friendships have been the one constant. My best friend knows me better than anyone else; from the way I walk when I’m tired to the thought spirals I’m about to go down and how to get me out of them. I found my soulmate in my best friend, and I wanted to create a play that explores all the joys and complexities that come with this experience.

What have you learnt from a friendship that’s changed you as a writer the most?

It would have to be my best friend, and soulmate Matilda—who so much of Flat 4 is based upon! The connection I have with her is reflected in so much of what I write. If it weren’t for her, I can honestly say I would not have had the faith in myself to write this show. Before I wrote Flat 4, I didn't act or perform at all. I created short films and did certainly did not see myself as a performer. However, after being inspired by Michaela Coel, I decided to branch out in my writing and take a Spoken Word course. Matilda was the very first person to see me perform. She saw me on stage with my eyes glued to the paper and my legs shaking more than I thought possible. Despite appearing like a rabbit in headlights, she told me I could turn that poem into a play. I didn't believe in myself, but Matilda championed me every step of the way. She would sit through hours of open mics just to hear me perform, come with me to all the poetry and theatre events I was too afraid to attend on my own, and was the first person to hug me after my very first performance of Flat 4. My writing would not have taken this direction if it weren't for her belief and support!

Your piece combines spoken word and convectional dialogue – what is it about spoken word that compelled you to use it in Flat 4?

I wrote the poems first and then wove a narrative through them. My writing naturally leans towards spoken word poetry, and this poetic style maintains a rhythmic flow throughout the play. When I'm writing, it often feels like the words are writing themselves! I rarely get stuck with writer's block now; it's as if each word has branches. One branch might lead to a rhyming word, or another with the same starting letter. Each branch inspires what comes next.

Like people, plays change and grow over time - how has Flat 4 evolved since Brighton Fringe?

This play has grown a lot as I have written from more than one perspective in the friendship. I believe as a writer it is very easy to become stuck in the tunnel vision of your protagonist, I recognised I had fallen into this trap after my Brighton run. I was aware, to elevate my writing I had to explore all the other emotions and fears that were happening on the other side of the wall in Flat 4. Exploring another side has increased the intensity of the plot and made aspects of the friendship all the more heartbreaking to watch. There are two sides to every story, and I think it’s important for audiences to hear both.

Flat 4 runs from 15th-18th August at the Libra Theatre Cafe.