Phoebe Waller-Bridge donates London flat to help early-career writers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 14:26 · Archive

Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated a London flat worth £1 million to help early-career writers afford to live in the capital.

Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated a London flat worth £1 million so that early-career writers can afford to live in the capital. The property was bought specifically for Writers' Block, a new scheme tackling class barriers in theatre. The flat will be offered to writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, who will pay only the bills. Waller-Bridge has also made what the initiative described as a generous financial contribution.

Several other high-profile figures are backing the scheme financially. These include screenwriter Jack Thorne, who co-created Adolescence and wrote Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; playwright and screenwriter James Graham, who wrote stage shows including Ink, Quiz and Dear England; Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright; The Crown's Peter Morgan; and Waller-Bridge's partner Martin McDonagh, who wrote and directed films including The Banshees of Inisherin.

Thorne said the scheme addresses a significant barrier to writing. 'For many writers, the need for a roof makes writing impossible,' he said. 'If you're from privilege, your biggest problem is what to fill a page with. If you're not, so much of your struggle is about the need to survive.' Research by the Sutton Trust found that just 16% of people working in the creative industries came from working-class backgrounds.

How it is being reported

• Fleabag creator donates flat to help early-career writers live in LondonPhoebe Waller-Bridge joins stars signing up to scheme tackling class barriers in theatre Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated a London flat so that early-career writers can afford to live in the capital. The creator of the hit show Fleabag bought the property specifically for Writers’ Block, a new scheme which tackles class barriers in theatre. The flat will be offered to writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, who will pay only the bills. Waller-Bridge has also made what the initiative described as a “generous financial contribution”. Continue reading...The Guardian · 4 Nov, 13:50
• Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge buys £1million London flat to rent out for free to early-career writers and makes a 'generous' donationThe Fleabag TV creator and actress, who is dating millionaire film-maker Martin McDonagh, is known for her charitable concerns and strong social conscience.Daily Mail · 3 Nov, 19:19

In this story: Phoebe Waller-Bridge · Writers' Block · Jack Thorne · Martin McDonagh · London · James Graham · Sally Wainwright · Peter Morgan

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