A Flea in her Ear

A comedy classic that is beautiful to look at, perfectly formed, shamelessly saucy and completely bonkers

31 Oct - 17 Dec 2016

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

The Play

CLOSED


Sydney Theatre Company presents

A FLEA IN HER EAR

By Georges Feydeau
In a new adaptation by Andrew Upton

World premiere

Let the famously French fun begin 

A Flea in Her Ear is world-renowned as the funniest and most famous of all the funny, famous French farces. It’s beautiful to look at, perfectly formed in its comic timing, shamelessly saucy and completely bonkers.  

French writer Georges Feydeau – the inspiration for modern comedies from Fawlty Towers to Noises Off – penned this masterpiece in 1907. Andrew Upton’s revival wraps all the lust and unconsummated infidelities of the original into a fresh whirlwind of hilarious – and slightly kinky – fun. 

We’re in Paris, 1908. After years of married bliss, Madame Raymonde Chandebise suspects her husband is having an affair. In an effort to catch him in the act at the notoriously seedy Snatch Time hotel, she causes a lot more trouble than she bargained for. 

Spiralling into a high-octane storm of sexual intrigue, mistaken identities and bed-revolving mayhem, a cavalcade of characters get in on the act. Some want sex and revenge, several want to preserve their honour. All want to avoid being shot. Nobody gets any sleep. And you will laugh out loud. 

Award-winning director Simon Phillips (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead) is in his element orchestrating the antics with elegance and precision. Reuniting with his frequent collaborator, designer Gabriela Tylesova, these two giants of Australian theatre bring a visionary spectacle to Sydney Opera House this summer.

“Raymonde? Are you in love?” Lucienne
“Never, never. God forbid.” Raymonde

Duration 2hrs 30mins (including interval)
Content warning Adult and sexual themes, strong language. 

#STCFLEA


Pricing information

Single Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $105
Saturday evening B Reserve $95
Adult A Reserve $99
Adult B Reserve $89
Concession $78
Seniors cardholder $89
Preview $76
Under 30 $78

Transaction fees may apply
Single tickets: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

CLOSED


Dates

Previews 31 Oct – 3 Nov 2016
Season 5 Nov – 17 Dec 2016

Performance start times
Preview performances: 8pm
In-season performances: Tue –Sat 8pm; Mon 6.30pm; Wed 1pm; Sat 2pm 


Pricing and ticket information

Single Ticket prices
Saturday evening A Reserve $105
Adult A Reserve $99
Concession $78
Seniors cardholder $89
Preview $76
Under 30 $78

Concession, seniors and under 30 tickets
Suitable and valid identification must be provided for collection of tickets and at the venue, such as your concession or proof of age card. Alternatively, you may email a copy of your identification to [email protected]. Please quote your booking reference number.

Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats.

Transaction fees may apply
Single tickets: $7.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied at all times.


Insight Events

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 24 Oct 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre
FREE. RSVP here

Audi Night with the Actors
Mon 7 Nov post-show
Mon 28 Nov post-show

Find out more about our Insight Events.


Access performances

Audio-described performance
Fri 2 Dec 8pm
Sat 3 Dec 2pm

Captioned performance 
Wed 23 Nov 1pm
Fri 9 Dec 8pm

Auslan-interpreted performance
Thu 15 Dec 8pm


Important travel update

From 4 Oct 2015, all travel into the Sydney CBD will be affected by construction works for a light-rail line along George Street. These changes affect car and bus routes. It is important to plan ahead and allow additional travel time.  Please visit mysydney.nsw.gov.au for more information and consider using journey planning apps on your smartphone or tablet devices. 

WRITER & DIRECTOR


2016FleaAndrewUpton105x115
Andrew Upton

Writer


2016FleaSimonPhillips105x115
Simon Phillips

Director


CAST

2016FleaHelenChristinson105x115
Helen Christinson

Lucienne Homenides 
de Histangua

2016FleaHarrietDyer105x115
Harriet Dyer

Raymonde
Chandebise

2016FleaLeonFord105x115
Leon Ford
Etienne/Olympe
 
2016FleaHarryGreenwood105x115
Harry Greenwood
Camille Chandebise
 
2016FleaSeanOShea105x115
Sean O'Shea
Dr Finache/Baptiste

2016FleaKellyPaterniti105x115
Kelly Paterniti

Antoinette/Eugenie

2016FleaJustinSmith105x115
Justin Smith

Carlos Homenides
de Histangua/August

2016FleaTimWalter105x115
Tim Walter

Marcel Tournel/
Rugby

2016FleaDavidWoods105x115
David Woods

Victor Emmanuel Chandebise/
Poche

CREATIVES

2016FleaGabrielaTylesova105x115
Gabriela Tylseova

Designer

2016FleaNickSchlieper105x115
Nick Schlieper

Lighting Designer

2016FleaSteveToulmin105x115
Steve Toulmin

Composer &
Sound Designer

2016FleaElizabethGadsby105x115
Elizabeth Gadsby

Assistant Set
Designer

2016FleaAliciaClements105x115
Alicia Clements

Assistant Costume
Designer

2016FleaImaraSavage105x115
Imara Savage

Assistant Director

2016FleaCharmianGradwell105x115
Charmian Gradwell 

Voice & Text Coach
 

Photo James Green

This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team. Ensure you have the most up-to-date information about each play by opting in to our enewsletter.




“Excellent cast, in a ridiculously entertaining piece of theatre.” ★★★★ Sunday Telegraph

"Flawless execution of Andrew Upton’s sparkling new adaptation." ★★★★ Time Out Sydney

“The characters’ wily plans, secret desires and outraged reactions all lead to chaos. It is very funny” The Australian

"Farce rollicks with a bangin’ vibe" Sydney Morning Herald

“Gabriella Tylesova’s rotating set is a jewel box of colour and beauty… and her costumes are every bit as intricate and thoughtful as the plotting.” Daily Review

“This whole production is an exercise in escalating mirth… to the point where the play becomes a teetering rollercoaster of utter hilarity.” Australian Stage

“An absolute masterpiece of comedic wonderment” The AU Review

“The combination of the script, direction, design and performance made it a night of sublime silliness” Stage Whispers

“[Simon] Phillips’ lovingly precise, ebullient direction” Sunday Telegraph

"The scale and precision in so much well-coordinated talent here is impressive, driving the rollercoaster plot flawlessly and at exactly the right speed at every turn." Time Out Sydney

“[Andrew] Upton’s terrific new adaptation” Sunday Telegraph

“Gabriela Tylesova’s set is spectacular” The Australian

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