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

Please note: this production contains smoking, theatrical haze, coarse language, simulated violence, adult themes, sudden loud noises and flashing lights.

creative team

Director & Designer Patrick Kennedy
Assistant Director Luke Visentin
Lighting Designer Topaz Marlay-Cole
Associate Set Designer Tom Bannerman
Stage Manager Hermione Bathurst
ASMs Lara Kyriazis, Harry Peters
LX/SX Operator Nathaniel Pernecita

cast

James Collins
Sofie Divall
Samuel Ireland
Jack Elliot Mitchell
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: 2 hours and 40 minutes including one interval of 20 minutes

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

DOWNLOAD COLOUR PROGRAM

“Terrific fun and a very clever use of both the dramatic and theatrical forms … Beautifully written, fast paced and very funny, yet with deep emotional impact … Director Patrick Kennedy creates an environment of theatrical playfulness while skilfully maintaining the strong narrative drive. His cast is brilliant, delivering great comic performances and embracing the script’s wild doubling.” Theatre Red

“Brings a welcome, madly inventive young director and designer to New Theatre with Patrick Kennedy … There’s much wit and seeds of confronting, thoughtful drama in this entertainment, making an important contribution to Sydney’s Mardi Gras Festival.” Stage Whispers

“★★★½ Each year, Mardi Gras has a theme, with the 2025 theme being ‘Free to Be’. The topic of freedom (or lack of freedom) reverberates throughout ‘The Flea’, which is based on real life events and set at a time and place when male homosexuality was illegal … This production successfully portrays the price to be paid – by both individuals and society – when inherent characteristics such as sexuality are met with repression and discrimination.” Arts Hub

“Perfect for the Mardi Gras season and surprisingly relevant in the current geopolitical climate. It is thought-provoking, insightful, emotive and highly entertaining.” Guide to Gay

“A wonderfully absurd camp trip through history … The powerhouse ensemble takes on an endless array of madcap characters, infusing each with unique physicality, a mischievous side eye and subtle pathos … A welcome addition to the Mardi Gras festival and a must see.” Australian Arts Review

“Stuffed with visual delights, fast-paced and engaging … This is exciting theatre-making, well worth a watch.” Time Out

“A story that feels as relevant today as it was in 1889 … Don’t miss this haunting, thought-provoking production.” Pario Magazine

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