Overview

Synopsis

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s darkly comedic Fleabag began as a 10-minute comedy piece about a cynical, grief-stricken woman. Waller-Bridge turned that piece into a one-woman show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it won the Fringe First Award. Fleabag’s titular character is an emotionally dysfunctional, hypersexual millennial interviewing for a job she desperately needs because her cafe is on the verge of bankruptcy. Through a series of jaw-droppingly honest monologues, Fleabag describes the events of the past week with the sort of explicit details normally reserved only for one’s very closest confidante. As she does, we hear the voices of the various characters in her life: her cranky sister, her deceased best friend, her sometimes boyfriend, and a colorful Cockney man who frequents her cafe. Fleabag is an unconventional character and a comedic powerhouse of a role. In 2016, Waller-Bridge adapted the play into a widely acclaimed TV series, which critics have cited as a cultural phenomenon and one of the best series of all time.

Show Information

Book
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2013
Genres
Dark Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
A bare stage
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mature Audiences, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Fleabag

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Voiceovers

Featured

Not Specified

Non-singer

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Dark Comedy

    A genre that combines elements of humor and morbidity, exploring serious themes through satire or irony.

    Direct Address

    A performance technique where an actor speaks directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall for dramatic or comedic effect.

    Monologue

    An extended speech delivered by a single character, either to another character or the audience. Monologues are used for character development and to reveal inner thoughts.

    One-Act

    A short play presented in a single act without intermission, ideal for festivals, student productions, or concise storytelling.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Kevan Dunkelberg

Kevan Dunkelberg

Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright