ED FRINGE 2023 REVIEW | Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Emmie

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

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We’re at the biggest football event for England in 55 years, the Euros 2020. The atmosphere is explosive as fans of the game get pumped up for what’s ahead, at the centre is Billy. 24 pints down, a third of cocaine and he’s going to put a flare up his bum.

But what we’re about to experience for the next hour is Alex Hill’s script delivering the piece to an alarming conclusion that leaves the audience utterly stunned. Based on true events, Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England manages to bring Billy’s story to life in such a short space of time. Alex presents to his audience a typical football fan, growing up playing the sport and passionately following his team through every up and down. 

The physicality of this piece works in restricted space successfully, a lot of the time Hill manages to break through the fourth wall which adds to the atmosphere Hill is building throughout this piece. Hill also has the job of working back and forth with different characters, his delivery on the voices and physicalities of each of those is expertly executed. Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England handles themes of toxic masculinity, tribalism, belonging and men’s mental health. 

His long-term friendship with Adam is the main emotional pull of this piece and it’s that relationship which handles the most important themes that arise. The conclusion is thought-provoking and beautiful, handled in a way that will grasp your attention. Amongst the painful realisations, there is some very well-constructed humour in there and you’ll never see someone describe Les Miserables so accurately. 

A bold and very thought-provoking piece of theatre!

At The Space @ Niddry Street until 22 August.