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 boy, 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 true story is a wild, unfiltered, unpredictable trip through power, deception and disgrace. Raw, funny and sexy, 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 Patrick Kennedy
Set Designer Amelia Lane
Assistant Director Luke Vistenin
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
Sat 1 & 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)
Patrons please note: New Theatre is now EFTPOS-only
at Front of House for both ticket and bar sales.
Main image: AI composite