AN ELECTRIFYING AND SURREAL DIVE INTO VICTORIAN SCANDAL

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Truly one of my shows of the year. I am still thinking about the story and absolutely loved the staging and performances. As shows go, The Flea really did itch my brain in the right way. I know I like a show when I’d happily watch it again, I know I adore a show when my internal theatre kid aspires to stage it. So writing wise, it’s a blooming good show (Literally) from playwright James Fritz. It was also very, very funny. Yes, a tragicomedy for sure, but oh did I laugh. 

The Flea, at The Yard Theatre, took the audience on an exhilarating journey through the infamous 1889 Cleveland Street Scandal. Jay Miller’s inspired direction brought this historic tale into the modern age with punk verve and bite.

Now on to the performances where everyone played multiple parts and they did so bloody well. Each character was fully formed and empathetic. Breffni Holahan’s portrayal of Emily Swinscow and Queen Victoria was riveting, and in the Queens case, surreal in the best way! Stefan Race’s versatility as both Henry Newlove and Arthur Somerset was astounding as you literally couldn’t have more opposing characters with one being a streetwise victorian Queer bad boy (Swoon) and the other being an upper class Snobby fop but he presented depth and humor in each role. Tomás Azocar-Nevin shined as Charlie Swinscow, delivering a magnetic and layered performance, with his second role as Bertie being hilarious and ridiculous. I loved it!  Aaron Gill brought emotive, comedic and empathetic turns as Hanks, and Euston. Will Bliss was truly fantastic with his transformations between Abberline, Hammond, and Gladstone which were a study in comedy and versatility. I may have gushed that at him slightly sloshed at the after show, so deepest apologies, Will…You were just really good! Cast wise, they all shone brightly. 

Behind the scenes, Naomi Kuyck-Cohen’s set design and Lambdog1066’s costumes pull the audience into a vivid, gritty and Queer Victorian world. They were clever and considered with a surreal punk edge, which is my kinda vibe (I was very partial to the tiny furniture) The atmospheric lighting by Joshua Gadsby, the nuanced sound design by Josh Anio Grigg, and Gino Ricardo Green’s engaging video work amplify the experience, crafting a sense of intrigue and immersion. Movement Director Sung Im Her and Dominique Hamilton’s make-up design lend a punk rock edge, transforming the stage into a playground for this tragicomic exploration of secrets, status, and scandal.

Each layer of The Flea—from set to cast—comes together brilliantly, making it a unique, memorable experience. It’s a piece of Queer history well worth learning about – oh how far we have come. 

Catch it at The Yard Theatre through November 30, 2024! I highly recommend it! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ LOVED IT

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Photo Credit: Marc Brenner