THE FLEA

by JAMES FRITZ

4 February – 8 March 2025

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE, PRESENTED AS PART OF MARDI GRAS+

“You’re going to tell the police that the future king was frequenting a gay brothel? They’ll ruin you.”

London, 1889. Charlie Swinscow, a young post office worker, gets busted with 14 shillings in his pocket.

But the twist? He didn’t steal it. That cash was payment for his body. Sold to a wealthy aristocrat at a secret gay brothel with ties to the Royal Family.

What starts as a petty arrest spirals into something much bigger. Charlie and his mother get caught in the middle of a national scandal that shakes the very foundations of the British Empire.

This is a wild, unfiltered, unpredictable trip through power, deception and disgrace. Raw, funny and sexy, in this true story about the notorious Cleveland Street Scandal, nothing is what it seems and everything feels like a fever dream.

This isn’t history; it’s a whole vibe. Get ready for the ride.

“Gloriously surreal” Time Out

creative team

Director & Designer Patrick Kennedy
Assistant Director Luke Visentin
Lighting Designer Topaz Marlay-Cole
Associate Set Designer Tom Bannerman
Stage Manager Hermione Bathurst

cast

James Collins
Sofie Divall
Jack Elliot Mitchell
Samuel Ireland
Mark Salvestro

dates/times

Previews Tue 4 Feb & Wed 5 Feb 7:30pm
Opening Night Thu 6 Feb 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm
No performance Sat 1 March
Sat 8 March 2pm only

Running time: to be announced

Please note: latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance

tickets

Full $37
Concessions, Groups (6+) $32
New Theatre Members $25
Mardi Gras Members $25
Thrifty Thursdays $25
Previews $20
(plus booking & transaction fees)

BOOK TICKETS

Patrons please note: New Theatre is now EFTPOS-only
at Front of House for both ticket and bar sales.