Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator of the global sensation Fleabag, has announced the launch of an Edinburgh ‘Keep it Fringe’ support fund to help artists with the cost of attending the festival.
The fund sums up to £100k overall, dividing into £2k for 50 performers each to help cover the cost of taking a show to the Fringe. This is made up of contributions from her own charity as well as the Fleabag for Charity campaign funded by National Theatre Live production streams of the show and will help to combat the rising cost of the festival for some lucky performers.
In recent years, the Edinburgh Fringe has become a bigger and bigger expense for performers and punters alike to justify spending their money on participation. With accommodation prices soaring, against a cost of living crisis backdrop, it’s not a huge surprise that last year’s festival saw fewer punter footfall, with some performers being priced out of taking a show up for the whole month run.
Waller-Bridge gained huge acclaim for her Edinburgh show Fleabag in 2013, which was later developed into a BBC TV series that went on to pick up various Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics Choice awards and nominations. Gaining such high level and global success from a show that saw some of its earliest performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, it’s no surprise that Waller-Bridge has launched such a commitment of support to help performers attend the festival.
Waller-Bridge remarks that the Festival is “one of the most unique places on the planet” and a “game-changing platform” that ultimately helped to kick off the sensational success of Fleabag. This announcement will give hope to performers who undoubtedly want to take part in the festival and the opportunities it provides.
Details of how to apply for the ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund are here.
