11 ‘Fleabag’ Live Details That Made it Into the TV Series
Phoebe Waller-Bridge‘s Fleabag has become a streaming phenomenon, particularly following the 2019 release of the show’s second (and according to Waller-Bridge, final) season. Now, the writer, actress and producer is giving fans the opportunity to stream the live stage version of Fleabag that inspired the TV show for a small fee which is being donated to various charities in support of COVID-19 relief.
So, just how similar is the play to the show? We tuned into the production and are sharing some of the key details that were included. We won’t be sharing too much about the plot which is slightly different and out of order in comparison to the TV show. At its core, they’re the same, but rest assured there’s new laughs to be found for first time viewers of Waller-Bridge’s play, which also hits some even darker notes than the show.
Below, we’re breaking down some of the fun details from the play that made it into the beloved TV series, and don’t miss out on watching the show for yourself on Amazon Prime Video as the title will only be available for a limited time. Also, keep in mind that the live version of Fleabag only includes plot points and details from Season 1 as it was created prior to the series and years before Season 2.
Fleabag, Seasons 1 & 2, Streaming Now, Amazon Prime Video
Fleabag: Live, Streaming Now for $5 on Amazon Prime Video
Feminist Lecture
Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and Claire’s (Sian Clifford) feminism lecture was included in the original source material along with that question about whether they’d trade five years of their life for the perfect body. If anyone forgot … they both raise their hands.
Meeting Gone Wrong
Another part of the original play that was depicted in the series was Fleabag’s meeting with the Bank Manager (Hugh Dennis) when she forgets there’s no shirt under her sweater only after she’s started lifting her top.
Obama Love
For fans of the series, it’s a pleasant surprise to learn that the now infamous Obama scene was also part of the play. Then again, if something is already funny onstage, why not include it on TV?
Hilary the Guinea Pig
Fleabag’s gift guinea pig to friend Boo (Jenny Rainsford) plays an integral symbolic role in the play, but has similar behaviors as in the show, like a habit of breaking free from her enclosure.
Claire's Betrayal Callout
The root of Fleabag’s story is her betrayal of Boo when she slept with her best friend’s boyfriend. Claire calls her out on this in both the play and the show, but some of the details that lead to the reveal differ in the play versus the series.
"Arsehole Guy"
Fleabag’s fling she refers to as “Arsehole Guy” (Ben Aldridge) in the series makes an appearance in the play as well, but there’s a few things that are different about his described physical appearance and some plotlines.
Fleabag and Boo's Song
During a flashback scene in the series, we see Fleabag and Boo sing together while smoking cigarettes and drinking wine — this is also mentioned in the play, including word-for-word lyrics.
Drunken Encounter
In a brief exchange seen between Fleabag and a drunk girl she’s trying to help, the woman refers to her as a man. This scenario is present in the play but has a little more substance to it.
Mistakes
In a moment between Fleabag and the Bank Manager, she tells him “that’s why there’s rubbers on the ends of pencils,” because people make “mistakes.” This is in reference to something Boo once told her, and it would seem the poignant remark is plucked from the play as the line pops up a couple of times.
The Rodent
Referred to as “Bus Rodent” (Jamie Demetriou), a man Fleabag meets on public transit pops up throughout the play as he does in the series. Unlike his role in the TV show though, this character plays a darker role in the stage version.
Fleabag's Speech to Her Father
In the show’s premiere episode, Fleabag visits her father’s (Bill Paterson) house and tells him that she worries about being a good person. After she vents, he tells her that she gets it from her mother, and while this scene is pretty much verbatim from the play, the moment where Fleabag goes upstairs and sees her Godmother (Olivia Colman) never takes place.
