Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated the use of a London flat to help early-career playwrights from underprivileged backgrounds afford to live in the capital. Residents will pay bills but no rent.
The Fleabag creator, writer and actress bought the property specifically for writers starting out who are struggling with London’s accommodation costs. She has also made what the Writers’ Block scheme described as a “generous financial contribution”.
The Initiative has financial backing from Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, who said his brother had let him stay in Croydon for five years when he was starting out. Thorne said the need to secure a roof can make writing impossible, and argued that writers from all backgrounds need the opportunity to tell stories.
Other supporters include playwright and screenwriter James Graham, Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, The Crown writer Peter Morgan and Waller-Bridge’s partner, filmmaker Martin McDonagh.
Graham said the scheme addresses class barriers in the industry. He recalled sleeping on friends’ floors and working in call centres and bars after moving to London, and said affordable accommodation could help emerging writers keep pursuing their work.
Writers’ Block grew out of the Adopt a Playwright Award, founded in 2008 to provide affordable accommodation for writers from disadvantaged backgrounds who need to be in London for meetings, rehearsals, performances and career opportunities. Both initiatives were created by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read.
Sources: BBC News UK.