Theater Buzz: One Flea Spare

It is 17th century England, and the Black Plague has ravaged London. Those who have managed to remain free of the epidemic, hide in pockets of the city to avoid contamination. Thus, the aristocratic, wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Snelgrave remain in the confines of the luxury of their home, until they are confronted with two trespassers in search of shelter. When the amenable military guard who has been checking on the Snelgraves discovers the trespassers, he determines there could be threat of contagion, cruelly does an about face, and quarantines the unseemly foursome.  

While it is threat of the plague that restricts these four characters to quarantine, it is their respective pasts that hold them hostage as well. A tragic accident has held Mrs. Snelgrave captive for the last 14 years, as has her frustrated husband’s cruelty. And as for the intruders, the crude sailor Bunce is on the lamb, captive to his own resistance to conformity; and the precocious, young Morse’s past abuse has brought her to this place.

Though labeled a comedy, but for a few humorous moments, there is much drama. At points in the play, the tension brought on by such confinement is thick enough to cut with a knife.  Add intense sexual desire to the mix, and there are even moments bordering on vulgarity. This is a tale based around sex, class and disease, pervasive fixtures in society even today. The ensemble of actors gives most impressive performances and the creative directing artfully incorporates innovative elements such as scene changes orchestrated through choreographed movement. Though a subject as morose as the Black Plague is seemingly not very appetizing, thanks to playwright Naomi Wallace, One Flea Spare, winner of the 1997 Obie Award for best play, is quite palatable.

The Forum Theatre’s One Flea Spare will be running at the Roundhouse Theater in downtown Silver Spring through March 12th.