Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Fleabag’ Play to Be Streamed to Raise Money for Charity

When TV’s Emmy-winning ‘Fleabag’ ended in April 2019, the show’s loyal followers weren’t quite ready to accept that its eponymous heroine’s journey would end with season 2.

However, Phoebe Waller-Bridge surprised her fans last summer when she announced the play upon which the TV show is based would be back in theatres for a limited run in August. Unsurprisingly, the show was immediately sold out.

In light of the coronavirus crisis which has largely affected the industry, Waller-Bridge has decided to revive the play which will be available to view online for two weeks. All proceeds will go towards four charities dedicated to supporting those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including National Emergency Trust, NHS Charities Together, Acting For Others and Fleabag Support Fund, an initiative which will provide grants of £2500 to freelancers working in the theatre industry.

In the UK you can watch the show via Soho Theatre On Demand right now and it costs £4 (or more, if you wish to further support the causes). ‘Fleabag’ will also be made available to US audiences via Amazon Prime, starting Friday, 10 April.

PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE © JASON HETHERINGTON

Directed by Vicky Jones, the play, which originally premiered in 2013, was staged at the Edinburgh Fringe, at the Soho Theatre, off-Broadway and at the Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End.

On the streaming initiative, Waller-Bridge commented: ‘I hope this filmed performance of “Fleabag” can help raise money while providing a little theatrical entertainment in these isolated times. Thank you to all our partners and to the creative team who have waived their royalties from this production to raise money for such vital causes in this unbelievably challenging situation.

‘All money raised will support the people throughout our society who are fighting for us on the frontlines and those financially devastated by the crisis, including those in the theatre community. Thank you in advance to those who donate. Now go get into bed with Fleabag! It’s for charity! Px’