Fleabag, Soho Theatre

Walking the fine line between sexual liberation and self-degradation, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s debut solo show is a blistering interrogation of what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. It caused such a stir around fringe theatres, Fleabag was picked up by the BBC and expanded into an eight-part series that had everyone obsessed.

Now, the hour long one woman show that inspired the Fleabag TV series returns to Soho Theatre for a single show on Saturday 19 August before heading off the Edinburgh Fringe. Maddie Rice will replace Waller-Bridge in the lead (and only) role.

Our protagonist – the eponymous Fleabag – is an independent woman with a one-track mind, chasing down every fleeting sexual encounter that comes her way. Fleabag is the dark but undeniably funny counter-argument of the likes of Sex and the City, prodding at the many grubby realities of modern relationships.

Waller-Bridge’s script is fearlessly filthy fare, making no concessions for the more queasy or prudish among its audience. Its bold pushing of boundaries and saying of the unsayable will never be to everyone’s taste, but those who can wince through the more outrageous anecdotes will gain plenty in return. Far from pushing buttons for the sake of it, Waller-Bridge’s provocative material is both hilarious and thought-provoking, asking plenty of questions in the wake of its shuddering laughs. Is exercising the right to promiscuity a victory or a loss for feminism? Where does empowerment end and humiliation begin?

Don’t expect answers, but do expect an entertaining and occasionally troubling evening in the theatre. Even before the Twitter-trending success of the series, Fleabag already had a strong track record on stage, winning a string of plaudits and awards at the Edinburgh Fringe and swiftly selling out last time it was at Soho Theatre.