Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England post-show Q&A at Southwark Playhouse. © Lucien Stanfield

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England post-show Q&A at Southwark Playhouse. © Lucien Stanfield

Remember how exciting it was when England made it to the men’s Euro 2020 final (in 2021 due to Covid). Remember the bloke who got so excited he lit his bum on fire?! His incendiary social media fame has inspired a hit stage play, written and performed by Alex Hill.

England fan Alex Hill, still in drama school at Arts Ed at the time, spent part of that fateful England-Italy final day on Wembley Way, soaking up the atmosphere (though not storming into the stadium!). On his way home, he – like so many others – had a laugh when he spotted the “bum flare man” going viral on social media.

The flare sparked the idea that became this one-man show, which Alex started working on after graduation and self-produced last summer for its premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe and transfer to London’s Old Red Lion Theatre. Thank the need to stand out amongst the festival competition for the saucy, “says what it does on the tin” title.

With new producers on board, Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England now has a longer, bigger London run at Southwark Playhouse. In the hour-long comedy-drama, Alex plays England (and AFC Wimbledon) fan whose boyhood love for football becomes a risque obsession under the influence of some older mates.

After last night’s performance, I discussed the play and its themes – including male mental health and the similarities between sport and musical theatre – as well as England’s prospects at EURO 2024 with writer-performer Alex Hill, director Sean Turner, and an audience of enthusiastic die-hard fans.

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England continues at London’s Southwark Playhouse Borough on Newington Causeway until 4 May 2024.

Q&A video

Recording by Jack Knight.

Q&A photos

Event photography by Lucien Stanfield.

On Twitter / X