AustLit

'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, 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, unconsummated infidelities and breathless chases of the original into a fresh whirlwind of saucy hilarity.

'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. '