The Flea
The Flea at New Theatre. Photo: Chris Lundie
In The Flea, New Theatre’s latest production, Victorian England’s dark underbelly is laid bare in a story that feels as relevant today as it was in 1889. This gripping true-crime-inspired play, starring Sofie Divall, James Collins, and Samuel Ireland, is a masterclass in blending surreal aesthetics with biting commentary about the hypocrisy of a society that condemns the very desires it indulges in behind closed doors.
Queer Tragedy Meets Tim Burton Surrealism
The set design is a visual feast, evoking the whimsical yet unsettling vibes of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Abstract, surreal, and dripping with gothic charm, the stage becomes a character in itself, reflecting the twisted moral landscape of the story. The play follows Charlie Swinscow, a young postboy wrongfully accused of theft, only to reveal a far darker truth: the money in his pocket was payment for his body at a secret gay brothel with ties to the Royal Family.
The production’s wit and dark humour provide moments of levity, but don’t be fooled — this is a tragic tale at its core. The absurdity of the set mirrors the absurdity of a society that criminalises love while turning a blind eye to the corruption of the elite.
Sofie Divall delivers a star-making performance, balancing humour and heartbreak as she navigates a world stacked against her. She brings warmth to an otherwise bleak story, making even the sharpest moments of injustice bearable.
James Collins oozes charm, making his character’s choices feel all the more devastating. But it’s Samuel Ireland who delivers the most heartbreaking performance of the night — his raw vulnerability lingers long after the curtain falls.
James Collins & Samuel Ireland in The Flea at New Theatre. Photo: Chris Lundie
Together, they navigate a story that exposes the double standards of a society where the rich exploit the poor with impunity.
The play’s exploration of homophobia and discrimination is particularly poignant. In a time when homosexuality was illegal, The Flea forces us to confront the fear and persecution faced by LGBTQ individuals. Yet, it also highlights the resilience and humanity of those who dared to love in the shadows.
Power, Fear & The Cost of Secrets
At its heart, The Flea is a compelling mystery. What begins as a petty arrest spirals into a national scandal, exposing the rot at the core of the British Empire. But beyond the intrigue, it’s an unflinching look at the fear that controls people’s lives. Fear of exposure. Fear of poverty. Fear of being crushed by a system that serves only those at the top.
It forces us to reckon with an unsettling truth: has much really changed? The double standards between the rich and the poor, the criminalisation of queer identity, the way corruption seeps into every level of power — it all feels disturbingly familiar.
Justice? Or Just Another Scapegoat?
The Flea doesn’t just present history — it demands we interrogate it. As the final moments unfold, you’re left with a lingering unease. Who truly paid the price in this scandal? And how many stories like this were buried, their victims forgotten?
Don’t miss this haunting, thought-provoking production at New Theatre, Newtown.
Until March 8. New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown. $25-$37+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.newtheatre.org.au/the-flea
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