'English football culture is only really a backdrop to the story’ - Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England writer and actor Alex Hill

Alex Hill was a drama student when he witnessed something at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley five years ago that he couldn't quite shake — a fan, a flare, and a moment that somehow lodged itself in his imagination. What started as a monologue has since become a critically acclaimed theatrical production, premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023 before touring the UK and Australia. Now, on its aptly named 'flarewell tour', the show is gearing up for its final UK date at London's West End this Sunday, June 21st. We caught up with Alex to talk about bringing the story to the stage, living with its notorious title, and what it feels like to say goodbye to a show born from one of sport's more unlikely viral moments.

"Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Ar*e for England" is one of the most arresting theatre titles in recent memory. Did you ever have doubts about committing to it?!

Of course! I was rejected by most Fringe companies in that first year of doing it. Partly because I was so inexperienced and definitely put my application in too late but also I wonder if some companies were put off by the title! When theSpaceUK offered me a late night slot in a 50 seater venue, I think the title then did its work to help stand out from other shows and bring in an initial audience. But I never doubted the title because truthfully, it was a powerful marketing tool for us! And I don’t regret it now because it has brought lots of people to the show who are expecting one thing and who get surprised when it subverts their expectations.

Theatre that tackles difficult social themes can sometimes feel didactic or lecture-like. How do you make sure Billy's world feels lived-in and human rather than like a lesson, and how do you avoid alienating the very audience whose experience you're reflecting back at them?

The show definitely feels like it could be stand-up at times. I feel like it has a very real quality because of how we decided to present Billy on stage. He is literally talking to the audience and is desperate to tell them his story, with the same level of excitement that you have when telling your favourite story down the pub. I’ve found the best way to avoid alienating the audience is to literally not alienate them and bring them into the story as much as possible.

The incident that inspired the show happened at one of the most emotionally charged nights in recent England football history five years ago. Do you think the show means something different to people who were there, physically or emotionally, for that night at Wembley?

The day of that final back in 2021 feels like one of the footballing pillars of the decade. Or at least, the most memorable moment in Southgate’s England era. I feel like the entire country, whether you were in Wembley or watching in a pub, thought it really was our time and that we were absolutely going to win. All the stars seemingly aligned. I was on Wembley Way before the game but watched the game at a mate’s house. Personally, I think I would have felt the same level of pain when we lost no matter where I was watching. But yes, perhaps fans who experienced that atmosphere on Wembley Way and in the stadium might feel some of the descriptions in the play more viscerally. 

Over multiple runs across Edinburgh, Australia, and the UK, has any particular type of audience member's reaction caught you off guard? People who perhaps you wouldn't have expected the show to land with?

I’ve had some amazing conversations with audience members after shows. It’s been the absolute highlight of doing this work. I’ve had chats with people who connected with the friendship aspect of the play and chats with people who connected more with the footballing side of things more. One of my favourite reactions was with a Millwall fan, it was his first time in a theatre and he just said ‘that was me back in the day’. He didn’t say much more than that but it felt like a special bit of feedback, knowing that we’d captured a segment of his life that he clearly had quite an emotional connection to. 

What do you think it is about the story that connects with audiences who may have little personal relationship with English football culture specifically?

English football culture is only really a backdrop to the story. I wanted to write something that felt universal and really the other themes like friendship and belonging feel more prevalent. So whilst the play has football references, it also has references to lots of other things including theatre. The last thing I wanted to do was alienate a hardcore theatre audience, so the story is littered with musical theatre references! I think different people connect with different things in the play and that feels really special to us.

After New York, when you finally put down Billy and Adam for the last time, what do you take from this experience into whatever you write or perform next, and is there any part of you that will find it hard to let this one go?

It’ll be really hard to say goodbye but I’m definitely ready. It’s been my life for the last three years. I’m at risk of becoming known fully as ‘the bum flare man’! But really, this has been completely life-changing and eye-opening. The main takeaway for me is to just do it. Whatever idea I’m thinking of, it’s hopefully going to be a reminder to just make it happen. In this industry, opportunities are few and far between. I’m so glad that I believed in this show and made it happen because honestly, I’m not sure where I’d be now without it.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England is at the Garrick Theatre on Sunday 21^st June for one night only. For tickets go to thegarricktheatre.co.uk