Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag to be streamed online for charity

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's stage production of Fleabag is to be streamed in aid of UK based charities combatting CIVID-19 and supporting those affected by it.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag. Photo: Matt Humphrey

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, DryWrite, Soho Theatre and Annapurna Theatre, in partnership with National Theatre Live in London and Amazon Prime Video, have joined together to make the critically acclaimed filmed theatre production of Fleabag available to stream to raise funds for several UK based charities that are on the front lines of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting those affected by it.

Recorded at Wyndham’s Theatre and first broadcast to cinemas by NT Live in September 2019, Fleabag will be available to stream in the UK and Ireland first for an initial run on Soho Theatre’s On Demand streaming site. Shortly thereafter, for two weeks beginning on Friday, April 10th, the performance of Fleabag will expand to include access on Soho Theatre On Demand in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as on Amazon Prime Video (US, UK), the studio partner of the award-winning television series of the same name. The production will be available for a 48-hour download for £4.00 (approximately $5.00 US).

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag at Wyndham's Theatre. Photo: Matt Humphrey

All proceeds (less taxes and processing costs) will be distributed to charities including The National Emergencies Trust (NET), NHS Charities Together and Acting For Others, as well as the newly launched Fleabag Support Fund, which will distribute grants of £2500 to freelancers working in the UK theatre industry affected by the crisis. The organization in the US that will benefit from proceeds raised by downloading the production will be shared later this week.

Fundraising support was kickstarted at £356,000 with a substantial donation from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and further donations from TodayTix and an anonymous donor. These funds have already been distributed to NET, NHS Charities Together and the Fleabag Support Fund.

The Fleabag Support Fund will continue to raise funds via a dedicated GoFundMe page, which can receive donations and via Instagram @FleabagforCharity. Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and directed by Vicky Jones, produced under their DryWrite banner by Francesca Moody, the one-woman show played to a sold-out house at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End last summer and a sold-out house Off Broadway in New York last Spring.

Waller-Bridge said: “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”

The proceeds from Fleabag screenings will be distributed in the UK as follows:- The National Emergencies Trust (NET) Coronavirus Appeal (35%), NHS Charities Together (35%), Acting For Others (15%), Fleabag Support Fund for grants to freelancers working in the theatre (15%).