FLEABAG star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has announced a new £100,000 fund to help performers put on new shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Most of the money will come from the award-winning actress’s own charity and will provide £2000 bursaries for artists who want to put on shows at the festival.
The Bafta and Emmy award-winning writer won acclaim at the 2013 Fringe with her one-woman show Fleabag which was later developed into a successful BBC comedy series.
She described the festival as “one of the most unique places on the planet” for showcasing new talent.
“For me, today’s announcement is incredibly personal”, she said.
“Edinburgh Fringe gave Fleabag a game-changing platform for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the show can continue to pay-it-forward to the creatives of tomorrow and contribute to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take their work to this amazing festival.”
Around half the money comes from the Fleabag for Charity campaign which is funded by streaming subscriptions for a National Theatre Live production of the show.
It launched in 2020 in a bid to support communities affected by Covid-19.
The financial support comes amid growing concern that the cost of living and working in Edinburgh have become barriers for performers.
In August last year, eight of the arts festival’s biggest producing venues said its future was in “very real danger” due to the soaring costs of accommodation.
An exclusive report in the Sunday National also detailed how key players warned the festival was in danger of being priced out of existence.
On the fund from Waller-Bridge, the chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “We recognise how difficult the last few years have been for the cultural sector, and today’s announcement is a very direct way for us to give some support for artists performing at this year’s Fringe.
“We are massively grateful to Phoebe, and all our donors, for their generosity and ongoing support of the work of the Fringe Society.
“This fund is a first step in what we hope to be an ongoing opportunity for Fringe artists.”
The society added that it hoped the “Keep it Fringe” fund would increase by next year.
