Fleabag stage show: review (NT Live screening)

The original stage play of Fleabag is on in the West End. Evie Prosser caught up with an NT Live screening at her local cinema

By Evie Prosser

Two observations about living in the country: (i) the Metropolitan life described in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag can seem a long way distant, and (ii) watching a play like this in the West End is a logistical and financial challenge of considerable proportions.

    ...it really is an expensive hassle to get to London and watch a show...  

All of which may lead you to assume that there would be little interest in Waller-Bridge’s name-making stage play out here in the sticks. And yet the seats of our local Odeon Cinema were pretty much stuffed with people wanting to catch the National Theatre Live performance of Fleabag last night.

So while the second observation rings true (it really is an expensive hassle to get to London and watch a show), the former is definitely wide of the mark.

Turns out every-day country folk enjoy ribald tales of female sex in the city just as much as our urban cousins. More so, if the laughter that pealed around Screen C is anything to go by.

The popularity of Fleabag owes a great deal to the phenomenally successful TV series of the same name. This was a breakout hit earlier in the year, with the second season prompting renewed interest in the first, and establishing Waller-Bridge as one of the brightest stars of UK theatre, TV and film.

That makes its inclusion in the NT Live initiative fantastically well judged. For those who missed a chance to buy tickets to the show in London’s Wyndham’s Theatre, or who simply want exposure to high-quality drama right on their doorstep, the scheme is brilliant. It brings the theatre experience to the UK’s provincial towns, with many audiences laughing and clapping along just as they would at the live show.

It helps that Fleabag is genuinely a laugh-out-loud play. After a slightly shaky start in which you feel the TV-series-loving audience wondering if the original play will live up to their expectations, the script really gets into its stride. Waller-Bridge owns the sparsely made stage, delivering a monologue that is occasionally punctuated by recordings of other characters but relies for its brilliance on her skills in mimicry, mime and comic timing.

In this latter area, she is unsurpassed. Helped by the fact she’s delivering her own lines, she knows exactly how long to pause before landing a joke’s denouement. And such is her poise, the merest flick of her hair or raise of an eyebrow is enough to have you in stitches.

She knows how to do pathos, too. The monologue moves like quicksilver across the whole emotional register: frequently you can’t work out if the tears in your eyes are prompted by mirth or sorrow.

    Fleabag deals with sexuality, body image, intellectual self-doubt, grief, truth-telling, family relationships, the nature of friendship…  

This, then, is the stuff of life. Not necessarily my life or your life. But a life, and one with enough texture that there’s something in its telling for everyone to enjoy.

Fleabag deals with sexuality, body image, intellectual self-doubt, grief, truth-telling, family relationships, the nature of friendship… too much to list, but all big themes that benefit from Waller-Bridge’s enviable blend of wisdom and a light touch.

Far from being overly worthy, though, Fleabag can at times feel like a stand-up comedy act. A telling line sees the character’s sister admonish her for delivering everything as if she were a comic. It is a moment in which Waller-Bridge’s own voice may be detected: although she’s keen to separate herself from her creation, it is hard not to view the play as at least partly autobiographical.

That points to Fleabag’s main appeal: it contains elements to which we can all relate. It feels real, and audiences like real – even when it is mediated through a stage and via a cinema screen.

Watching Fleabag as an NT Live performance was invigorating, therefore. I left with the same feeling I have when I do make it to town for a show: I was inspired, provoked and thoughtful, having been thoroughly immersed in a character and her story for the best part of an hour and a half.

As an initiative to bring the theatre to more places around the UK, NT Live is without rival. And given that for most of us Fleabag is first and foremost a TV production, it made perfect sense to see it on a screen rather than in the flesh.

That said, I can’t help but feel a bit regretful that we weren’t able to go to London and watch it at first hand. This play is so good, and the acting so mesmerizingly brilliant, I’d have loved to see it for myself. Then again, those trains to London do take an absolute age…

Published: 16 September 2019

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you liked this article, you may enjoy: Three reasons why Killing Eve Series 2 was bound to fall flat (and why it’s actually still amazing)

You may also like: Five podcasts that will change your life

Jobs currently available

New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £14.30 per hour
Location: Bury St. Edmunds
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-BU-WO-1124
About the role

Looking for weekend work and want to earn money for Christmas?

Just Temps seeks temporary weekend Warehouse Operatives for a company based in Bury St. Edmunds.

This is an immediate start role.

Hours:

Starting Saturday 9th November working 6am to 12pm.
Then working Saturday and Sunday 6am to 12pm until 15th December.

Duties include:

  • Packing and picking.
  • Loading and unloading.

Paid weekly in arrears,  

You must have your own transport due to the company's location.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: Roade, Northampton
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: JT-RO-WO-1124
About the role

Just Temps is seeking Warehouse Operatives to join a company based in Roade, Northampton.

This is a temp-to-perm opportunity role!

Working hours: Monday to Friday. 13.30 to 22.00.

Duties will Include:

  • Sorting plastic from paper.
  • Unloading and loading of lorries and containers.
  • Using handheld scanners to pick and pack.
  • Working within the stores.
  • Other general warehouse duties.

Heavy lifting will be involved.
This company really cares about its workforce and lots of opportunities are available.
An increase in pay is available after the qualifying period.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Executive
Sector: Sales
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913469
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing transport/logistics business, based on the outskirts of Colchester—looking for a proactive and driven 'Sales Executive' to join its well-respected team.

In order to be considered for this role, you must have sales experience, preferably within the transport/logistics sector.

The key purpose of this role is to drive business. Your role will be instrumental in supporting the rapid growth of the customer base.

You will be working closely with the Managing Director and the local senior management team on the continual growth of the company—through the management and expansion of a portfolio of customers to improve market position and achieve financial growth. Previous experience in driving sales is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Building a strong new business pipeline of opportunity, which incorporates the growth of company services, and offers excellent revenue opportunity and margin growth
  • Developing a comprehensive database of prospects on the CRM system, which includes a full record of upcoming tenders over the next 3 to 4 years to ensure new prospects and opportunities are actively managed
  • Maintaining a full understanding of all services, procedures and standards offered by both the company and its competitors to ensure business can be gained and value added at every opportunity, operating within a contract and against agreed terms
  • Building and maintaining key customer relations by arranging regular face-to-face meetings to ensure the highest levels of customer service are being provided throughout the customer's life cycle, resulting in increased revenue
  • Preparing clear, concise and accurate reports both monthly and on an as and when required basis for sales to be measured against organisational strategic targets
  • Working alongside the sector Managing Director and local senior management team to prepare and deliver accurate sales tender documentation, including detailed presentations and quotes for new and existing business to negotiate and close business deals to increase business growth
  • Meeting individual targets set to provide support in meeting both annual Company and Group targets

Your knowledge and experience:

  • Sales forecasts
  • Time management
  • Tracking industry trends
  • Relevant industry experience to enable prospecting new business
  • Experience in managing clients and managing strategic targets and growth
  • Full car driving licence

This role offers Monday to Friday working hours and a very competitive package with the following benefits:

  • Life assurance
  • Pension
  • Opportunity for training and development
  • On-site parking
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Loyalty Awards (recognise employees with 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of service)
  • Employee benefits and discounts across a range of top brands (including shopping, travel, motoring and days out)

An application for a DBS certificate will be required in the event of the individual being offered the position.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Finance Assistant
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Eye
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913531
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation, based in Eye, Suffolk—looking to recruit a Finance Assistant on a full-time, perm basis.

This role would you if you are seeking to grow and develop a successful career within finance and accounting, in a growing business.

The key purpose of this role is to support the finance team and wider business with accounting and administration duties including:

  • Invoicing customers accurately and in a timely manner
  • Chasing for payments when needed
  • Processing customer deductions and raising, posting credit notes
  • Supporting purchase ledger
  • General admin duties
  • Assisting by providing holiday and absence cover for other team members
  • Support other members of the finance team with other processes as and when required

Ideally, you will have office-based experience and an interest in finance and accounting - further study support and development are available.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £12.00 per hour
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: JT-SU-WO-1124
About the role

Just Temps is seeking an experienced Warehouse Operative for a busy company based in Sudbury.

This is a temp-to-perm opportunity role!

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 6.00am to 2.00pm.

Main duties to include:

  • General warehouse duties.
  • Heavy lifting.
  • Stock control.
  • Using a computer and SAP system to track in and outgoings.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more