Fleabag Play vs TV Show - A Comparison 

Her MEMORY though! The whole stage performance is just her talking, what an incredible actress and writer.

This woman is a genius.

Fleabag broke the 4th wall so effectively. Unlike most shows that break the 4th wall, Fleabag makes you feel like a confidant than a mere viewer.

A huge difference is her projection! Her theatre voice is so much louder and fuller that it feels like a slam poem at stages. I think she does both performances so well but the tv show allows the tone to be a lot gentler.

Olivia Coleman's acting is so incredibly effective that I still get mad at her when I see her in anything other than Fleabag

Fleabag has such a devastatingly sad undertone to it, when I went to see the stage show played at the cinema I walked away heartbroken, just felt so unmoored and awful and a mix of every emotion to exist. I think good art does that, moves you so profoundly.

Fleabag (The series) i think is one of those rare gems that *outdid herself* by the second season and increase the value and appreciation for it.

For me, the twist works soooo much better in the show, you can see her struggle even looking at us (the camera) and it feels so... real. I've had friends that did me wrong look at me like that, it was visceral.

It's weird seeing exactly how note-for-note certain dialogue and scenes like "you get that from your mother" are in Fleabag, and how they feel SO much more effective as part of TV than as a stage show. The medium of your story really does make a difference.

It's frankly impossible to imagine any British TV show from the last 20 years which _doesn't_ feature Olivia Coleman. thankfully. she's great

You got me at Olivia Colman. Also, I love how the second season brings a mystery to the whole 4th wall aspect with the hot priest kinda sensing it.

I am HORRIFIED that I had no idea that Fleabag was once a one-woman show. I am consistently impressed by Phoebe. What an absolute genius.

One moment I absolutely loved in the show was in the funeral scene when fleabag looks at Boo in the *exact* same manner as her asides to us and you realise the sadness behind the 4th wall breaks. Phoebe is a pure genius

its shocking to see that the dialogue was changed so little. it flows so well that i would've imagined that the actors had some liberty to play with the lines or that they were written with the actors in mind - it's just such a brilliantly written show

I would probably say that season 1 < the play < season 2. The play really grips you with her uncompromising rawness and sexuality, and the twist at the end winds up being that much darker; you're completely inside her at that point; you know all her secrets, but then there's another secret that was too raw for even us to know. The show doesn't capture that quite as well, simply because it's a completely different medium. What season 1 excels at is translating the fourth wall breaking aspect into a more objective scenario; we see things as they are, and also as she sees them. The impact may be a bit diluted as a result, but our role in the show feels just as active as hers does... Which is why season 2 is allowed to be that much more brilliant. Now we're all on the same page, Fleabag isn't gonna bullshit us, and she feels more comfortable than ever confiding in us because we know all her secrets. But then another character calls her out for using us to escape from reality, and she eventually grows to realize she doesn't need us anymore. But all three of these incarnations are brilliant and need to exist. The play breaks the fourth wall to subject the audience to its unreliable narrative. Season 1 breaks the fourth wall to create conflict between the narrator and reality. Season 2 questions what it means to break a fourth wall at all.

You didn't include the guinnea pig dilemma: the pet had to be killed before the end of the play as a way of closure to her friend's death, but was censored at the TV script, so it needed a workaround that actually changed the tone of the ending quite a bit, giving it a second season and the deep but shattering "it will pass".

0:12-0:25 An absolute masterclass in the difference between acting on stage and acting for camera

how does she memorize all of this? the confidence? alone on stage?

It's so interesting to me how the acting is wildly different and yet she speaks the lines in a very similar pace. I guess that's because she wrote the lines herself and in both works it's her interpretation of it.

Fleabag S1 is one of the best debut seasons of all time; S2 is even better and probably the best S2 of any series ever

I connected emotionally more to the play because it was just her, raw. She plays the sexual side of her so well in both mediums but for me it was clear that sex was her escape and her despair at the end hits so much deeper. Her comedic and acting skills come out better in the play in my eyes. I love the show so much and as you say, it makes so much sense that the show grew out of the play.

I've never laughed out loud as much with a tv show as with Fleabag. But it's not just funny, there are deeply profound emotional moments in there too.

I actually LOVED experiencing the stage version FIRST before watching the tv show, because it made me build the world up in my head--it was magical. And watching it with a huge audience laughing so loud all around you is UNFORGETTABLE. Gave me a HUGE, bleak, pit feeling walking out of the theatre, THAT I didn't get from the TV show (possibly because I already knew the plot tho) Both great, just different mediums, practically apples/oranges.

they laughed at the "you get all that from your mother" i was sobbing

The last breaking of the 4th wall of the 2nd season is heartbreaking in its simplicity.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a genius!! 💙❤️

I find fleabag to be less sympathetic in the stage version, which is pretty interesting in its own right as I love horrible people doing horrible things, but the fact that in the TV show fleabag is both awful and so incredibly sympathetic makes the story so much more gut wrenching, because you see all her potential but in so many ways she can't help herself but be a scumbag of a person

The asides are also great in how quickly and naturally she can just switch facial expressions and emotional tones. It’s incredible, really. And she never does it too cartoonish. It feels like very subtle but recognizable emotions

Recently finished watching it, absolutely enjoyed every single episode. While everyone was praising the main character 'Fleabag', I was mesmerized by the actress who's playing 'Claire' and Olivia Coleman. Both of them shines throughout the show.

In the play her act is so much more agressive but also raw, I think I personally prefer the show, more subtle and I feel her pain and heartbreak so much more

something i’ve always really really liked about fleabag is that we don’t worry or understand why she breaks the fourth wall, why she talks to US. and then we see the funeral scene with boo and we see how she looks at her and talks to her and it all kind of just makes sense. it’s very heartbreaking

What struck me with the play was how much sadder it was. Much more a tragedy than a dark comedy

The same material performed for 2 different mediums and done so well. Wow. Ugh the talent!!

One little thing of the fourth-wall breaking/asides in the show that I really enjoyed, is that none of the characters notice it except for the priest. It's both hilarious and a nice gesture towards their connection and him seeing her for who she is.

I love how even the pacing of her speech matches up

FLEABAG = TIMELESS MASTERPIECE. But also, I had no idea it was originally a play. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is such a good writer.

Fleabag is one of the most unique tv shows i watched in 2019! She has the potential to be a legendary actress like meryl streep!

Well, can’t deny Olivia Coleman’s passive-aggressive step-mother’s brilliance!

I saw the stage play in 2013 (before the TV series), so I guess I can't give series 1 a truly objective review. But I remember Fleabag as the best monologue I have ever seen live. The twist, Phoebe's acting and her emotion work so much better in live play format. I laughed, cried and cried some more during the play. I can't say the same about season 1 of the series. It was good, but not outstanding. It felt clunky at times. The only thing the TV show had over the play, in my opinion, was Olivia Coleman's godmother character- she is terrifying. In short, the play was exceptional and has still changed my outlook on life and the goodness of people to this day (you can be so flawed but still deserving of love and a second chance). Season 2, however, was sublime. TV perfection. It was written for TV so everything flowed perfectly, the dialogue was incredibly tight, and it was the perfect mix of comedy and drama.

I’m obsessed with her work. She is a magnificent actress and writer .

I literally love this show so much, it's one of my most favourite shows

Any video with Phoebe in it has such pleasant comment sections. It’s a really nice break from the norm on RU-vid.

"a good stage performance but a brilliant tv show..." The tv show is dynamic, but, man oh man, the stage show is absolutely brilliant. The writing shines way more and the simplicity of this emotionally isolated character alone on stage (without even scenery) is a testament to the power of the stage production. The ensemble in the show is fantastic, but on stage, Bridge has to do ALL of the heavy lifting. And she makes it look so easy when it is anything but. There is such elegance to it. Just wanted to chime in there. Solo theatre is deceptively hard and she is so so good at it. Not sure normal tv audiences know what they are looking at when watching the stage show. Just seriously next level. It is amazing that such a cool tv show came from this little, emotionally devastating, razor sharp solo performance of a broken character simply sitting in a chair telling her story.

This show is an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Never watched something as seamlessly

Hilly dies onstage. Very visceral moment. An aside: is this the one show I can watch over and over and over again and never get bored? Yes, yes it is.

She is a genius. This shows how well thought and true to her own mind the monologue was.

This comparison/contrast is just what I've been looking for! It's been a challenge to find clips of the play. Seeing them side by side gives rich information for solo performance artists. Thank you! Very well done! (I was especially curious to find out how Olivia Colman's stepmother character was depicted in the stage version. Apparently the character isn't included? She is handled so brilliantly!

I love love love Fleabag's breaking of the 4th wall, she'd say the things we're thinking and react the way we would and it all felt so familiar that you don't realise the comfort of her confidences until they start to slip away, the entire thing is so beautifully nuanced it couldn't have been done better

Ok, as a regular theater patron, can honestly say it without applying any courage nor shame, the unspeakable : Yes, TV outdid the play on this one, Fleabag is better on screen.

she's so talented, I'm actually speechless

I actually love the show more because of how it started. Just wow, this was a real labor of love.

Omg I've been waiting for someone to make this! Thank you!

Fleabag has been the most recommended audiovisual by me. Seriously, to every single person I know. I can't let anyone die without watching this.

Sadly, Olivia Coleman isn't in everything.

I love how she stops the breaking of the fourth wall to tell us the show is over.

this was super interesting, thanks for compiling it this way.

The play is basically Phoebe Waller-Bridge reading/acting out the teleplay by the looks of it. (I know it's not but that's how it feels seeing them side by side) Fleabag is an absolutely perfect show. I genuinely can't find anything wrong with it. Thanks for this video.

bless your soul. this montage is amazing. thank you so much

Speaking of Phoebe, I'd love to see a video from you about Killing Eve! :)

I've never seen nor heard it this but it looks great honestly

Wow. You put a lot of work into this. Kudos!!

I've watched the stage version and the show and it was cool to compare the two. Phoebe did a spectacular job adapting it to TV.

I think a story can be adapted across a new media form without it qualifying as a "loss." The show is able to provide visuals and add the talents of more actors, but that doesn't inherently make it better. It is just different. Experiencing the story in person through a play offers an intimacy with the performance that is not possible in the same way with the medium of film. I really love the show and I haven't seen the play in person, but I think both have a lot to offer.

Just literally finished watch the play and I know it available somewhere on the internet because you posted this essay.. So thank you very much!

And now I love it even more! Thank you! :)

Few shows break the 4th wall as greatly as Fleabag and Mr. Robot.

Phoebe is a genius of taking out emotions from the writing of any script ❤️

The stage play feels that much more intimate and she seems that much more vulnerable being up on stage on her own like that, I find it quite an uncomfortable watch, truth be told. Which speaks volumes about me, obviously :o

Who else cried at the end of season 2? 😭

freaking love it, great video

i think both the play and the TV show have their strengths, and which you think is better is a matter of preference. for instance, although the show uses fleabag's asides to great effect, the vast and empty stage portrays loneliness in a way that film can't quite reach. there are no cuts in a live performance, no way to turn away-- this is something that translated well to the tv show for me, as i felt i just had to keep watching without stop, but is still something theater excels at overall.

Ohhh man... I miss this show. Is totally amazing

Context is definitely key here. Advocates for theatre know that there is an element of interacting with the audience in a live performance, which is why most actors prefer it as a medium. The elements that make theatre theatre are all subtracted from a recording of a performance and thus its impossible to judge without having seen the show in person.

So interesting! Love the show, love this video!

wish I could've seen this live on stage

I think the actors on the show are all stunningly good

Brilliant comparison!

This was awesome. Thanks

The acting so good to match the perfect writing !

I am addicted to this series i just finished watching it today after 2 days of watching lol.

I was watching Fleabag during my labor! I wanted to watch it again for a long time and I decided that 'the big day' will be the best occasion

Wonderful video!

It's delightful to see someone master stage acting vs screen acting with the same material

Thank you for this video

Imagine if she written Fleabag as a novel from what we’ve seen in her play. That would be awesome!

just found this video and I'm in love

Thanks Brotha for this one. I'm really into fleabag things these days

08:47 Sadly not everything can have Olivia Coleman in it

love this

This makes so much sense!!! Tq

this is beautiful

Fleabag is the most vulnerable character and actress I’ve ever seen in a series. She’s such a fantastic writer

Great video! PWB is simply brilliant.

I've seen over 100 shows and anime and have given a perfect rating(10/10) to only two- Fleabag and The Leftovers.Both of them absolute masterclasses in long narrative storytelling.

her timing is IMPECCABLE

8:10 I had the EXACT same train of thought earlier in the video and I was about to comment it! And overall, it's like she took all of the good aspects of a one-woman show, and then built around them to make the TV show.

I think Fleabag is a Bridget Jones from 2020

This woman is pure gold

8:59 Excellent choice of music to end this video. _Step Up_ by Pete Rock & InI. 😊

Oh great! Thomas finally covering Fleabag is just the thing that I needed to make me happy today. So thanks for this Thomas! P.S - I like the show better. 😬