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 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
Feedback/Comments
Loved this performance at The New Theatre and manage to sit next to the set designer, I was laughing out loud during this show.Great acting.
Well worth it
Enjoyed , off beat and well acted.
Super
Good show but was too long.
It is awsome play and very jntersting story.
Terrific play and very cleverly done. Great night out with a very talented cast and topical storyline. Love New Theatre - community theatre at it's best!
It took me some time to get used to the set/costumes, but it really worked throughout the show. Very entertaining, sadly so relatable to today's politics. It made me look up the history behind the story.
This was terrific theatre. Highly professional.
Very engaging & creative show
Very entertaining & so clever
The play was certainly surreal and unexpected with an effective set design.
Great set & very talented actors!
Always a good program at the New Theatre. Good story, acting, costumes and setting.