In aid of future Edinburgh Fringe performers

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has launched a Fleabag-themed gin to help future Edinburgh Fringe performers.

The £48-a-spirit bottle will be launched later this month and features a silhouette of her character, saying: ‘I love you’ in a recreation of the star’s handwriting.

Designed by the actress herself, the bottle also features ‘Hot Priest’ co-star Andrew Scott writing ‘it’ll pass,’ next to an image of the fox that featured in the final scene of the acclaimed BBC comedy.

You may think the booze exists only to get you tipsy, but makers Edinburgh Gin insist: ‘It tells the inside story of Fleabag and its connection to our home city.’

Waller-Bridge said:  ‘Gin and theatre are my two great loves. We wanted this bottle to capture a glimpse of Edinburgh in all her mystery and wonder, through the eyes of Fleabag, who found her first home there.

‘I hope every purchase inspires outrageous and creative conversations over ice while bringing the beloved Fringe back to life. It’s important to add that Andrew Scott hand wrote a message on the bottle… if that isn’t incentive enough to hunt one down and hold it against your cheek, I don’t know what is."

Profits from the collaboration between the distillery and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society - expected to top £150,000 - will go towards supporting artists who want to take part in next year’s festival

Fringe Society chief executive Shona McCarthy said: ‘This collaboration will be a much-needed lifeline to so many Fringe artists, it will enable them to get back to doing what they do best.’

Fleabag famously started as a one-woman show at the Fringe, and earlier this year, Waller-Bridge was appointed the first president of the society which co-ordinates the event.

At the time, she said: ‘This festival is a beating heart of an industry that has been all but crushed by the pandemic, and I’m proud to be a part of the fight with the Fringe Society for its much-needed survival and glorious return.’

Edinburgh Gin brand director Neil Mowat said: ‘It has been an honour to work with Phoebe. She’s an incomparable talent – an amazing writer, actor and producer – who was so generous with her time, her stories and her care in bringing this project to life.

‘What we’ve created together is sort of a love letter to the magic of Edinburgh, filled with Fleabag details that fans will recognise.

‘Its significance lies though in the help it will offer other performers who are early on in their careers. Hundreds of people will now be able to access support for expenses like travel, accommodation, rehearsal and venue spaces.’

Only a ‘few thousand’ of screen-printed bottles will be available. Orders will be taken from July 20 from those who register at the Edinburgh Gin website - and they are expected to be delivered during the slimmed-down 2021 Fringe in August.

Published: 5 Jul 2021