Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse For England

Garrick Theatre

21 June 2026 - One night only

Photo credit: Rah Petherbridge

{PR Gifted ticket}

Much like Sondheim was inspired by Georges Seurat’s famous painting to write Sunday in the Park with George, Alex Hill found theatrical inspiration in a similarly iconic piece of art: the photo of a football fan sticking a coloured flare up his derrière before the England v Italy final of the 2021 Euros.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse For England has had a whirlwind few years since it premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, and Hill took it to the Garrick Theatre for its last UK performance — and West End debut. With World Cup fever kicking in, it was the perfect time for Hill to bring his one-man show about football, masculinity, and belonging to a new audience before it bids “flarewell”.

The play, in which Hill portrays a fictional version of the man in the photograph named Billy Kinley, begins with a passionate recreation of the titular incident, music thumping and lights shining as Billy riles up the crowd on Wembley Way. We’re then taken back to the start of Billy’s lifelong love affair with football, as he kicks around a ball signed by Bobby Moore with his best friend Adam. The discovery of their shared interest in the beautiful game soon turns into season tickets, weekly pub trips, and a whole new crowd of “laddy” mates. But what once brought Billy a sense of community soon sends him spiraling into a lonely descent, as his increasing levels of violence and bravado alienate both his girlfriend and Adam.

Hill brings an undeniable likability to the role that keeps the play fizzing with energy even in its darker moments. Director Sean Turner successfully hones Hill’s naturally infectious energy into a performance that’s dynamic while still giving the quieter, heavier beats space to breathe. There’s even space for Hill to break the fourth wall, and his impromptu recap of the play so far for a group of latecomers demonstrates his innate comedic flair. He’s also a brilliant storyteller, weaving in different people and places throughout the piece to create a rich tapestry of one man’s life that revolves around football.

I did find it somewhat easy to predict where the plot was going to end up, which made it harder to emotionally resonate with the final poignant moments. But that never took away from my enjoyment of Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse For England, which is a testament to Hill’s superb writing and heart-filled performance. It’s yet to be determined if it’s coming home for England this World Cup, but this homecoming certainly hit the back of the net.

Creatives

Writer: Alex Hill

Director: Sean Turner

Voices: Ben Shephard and Chris Kamara

Produced by RoxyDog Productions