THE FLEA at the Yard Theatre
★★★★★
“bold, innovative, interesting and risk-taking theatre”
James Fritz’ ‘The Flea’ is a pleasurably innovative, hilarious and touching piece of theatre. It explores themes of systemic homophobia, the marginalisation of the working classes and the issues of criminalisation of sex workers, all within the context of Victorian Britain. And even with such heavy themes, it still managers to be utterly hysterical throughout.
The play follows Emily and her son Charlie. They’re a poor family and Charlie notices his Mum going without food, so he starts bringing home extra cash to give to her. She’s suspicious about where it comes from though, but she stops asking questions after he tells her it’s his post office ‘bonus’. Unfortunately, the police were suspicious too, and we discover Charlie is involved in a high end brothel scheme. The investigation into the establishment is what we follow in the play.
The show is immediately gripping in its presentation of the narrative – using various forms of movement, multi-media and multi-roling to tell this story. Jay Miller’s direction as a result is never unexciting and I can honestly say I was gripped throughout the whole piece. There was not one moment where the energy dropped. The space was also used incredibly well in this sense. The stage (designed by Naomi Kuyck-Cohen) was divided into three separate platforms with a runway along the middle. Each platform created distinctive settings: A police station, Emily’s house, an aristocrat’s living room and various others. The majority of which was also filled with comically small furniture.
Lambdog1066 is responsible for the incredible costume design; Victorian-esque designs mixed with punk aesthetic choices such leather jackets, patchwork pieces and various decorative zips. A special commendation also has to go to the cast at this point for many swift changes of outfit.
All the actors are extremely committed throughout the play. Breffni Holahan leads the show with an attention to emotional detail ranging from joy to anguish that is truly remarkable. Aaron Gill also shone in several roles, but I particularly enjoyed him as the police constable which provided a lot of the subtle, tongue in cheek comedy.
Fritz’ writing is simply brewing with heart and great care for all of his characters. Many of which have their flaws yet there wasn’t one person who I couldn’t understand or sympathise with. And I think that’s how you succeed in taking risks in theatre; you approach every step with care and you don’t cut corners on the details. This is the kind of bold, innovative, interesting and risk-taking theatre that the industry has been crying out for, for a long time. Definitely worth a watch.
THE FLEA at the Yard Theatre
Reviewed on 22nd October 2024
by Rachel Isobel Heritage
Photography by Marc Brenner
Previously reviewed at this venue:
THE FLEA | ★★★★ | October 2023
THE FLEA
THE FLEA
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