By Islam El-Sakka
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated a London flat to a new scheme helping early-career writers from disadvantaged backgrounds afford living in the capital. The creator of Fleabag bought the property specifically for Writers’ Block, an initiative that tackles class barriers in theatre.
Scheme tackles class barriers in theatre
The flat will be offered to writers who pay only the bills, and Waller‑Bridge has also made what the initiative described as a “generous financial contribution.” Other prominent backers include screenwriter Jack Thorne, playwright James Graham, Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, The Crown’s Peter Morgan, and Waller‑Bridge’s partner Martin McDonagh.
Research highlights class imbalance
Research by the Sutton Trust and the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre found that just 16% of people working in the creative industries come from working‑class backgrounds, with class imbalances more pronounced than in any other sector. Graham said the industry’s push for representation continues to overlook class, noting that when he started out he slept on friends’ floors and worked in call centres while writing.
Writers’ Block expands from Adopt a Playwright Award
Writers’ Block grew out of the Adopt a Playwright Award, founded in 2008 to provide affordable accommodation for writers needing to be in London for meetings and rehearsals. The scheme invites Londoners to offer spare rooms at capped rates of £30 a night or £500 a month. It has signed up 15 homes and helped 12 writers find accommodation ranging from overnight stays to longer‑term placements.
