Q&A with Alex Hill, writer and performer of Why I Stuck A Flare up My A*** for England!

By Amie Johnson

Wednesday 27 May 19:30

A huge welcome back to Rugby’s Macready Theatre! Are you excited to be returning?

Incredibly excited and very grateful to be coming back. Playing the Macready last year was one of the highlights of the tour. It was such a warm audience and a brilliant space to share the work.

Since you came here with the show in January 2025, what have you been up to?

We have taken the show to Australia twice. In 2025 we played the Adelaide Fringe and won Best Overall Theatre, and we returned more recently, adding Perth Fringe where we picked up Best Theatre, which was a real honour. We also completed our third and final Edinburgh Fringe, toured the show to Iceland, and had a London run at Underbelly Boulevard in Soho.

Our audiences who came to see Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England last year will be delighted to see you again. What can they expect to be different this time around?

The show has developed a lot! TV and Broadcasting legends Ben Shephard and Chris Kamara now feature in the play and have lent their voices to the show. We also introduced video design, which adds a new layer, and overall, it feels more dynamic and playful. There is a bit more audience interaction and fun throughout. It is also the last time this production will be performed in Rugby before we finish in July, following the West End and New York dates this summer.

Who was Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England created for? Is there a message you hope the audience will take away from the show?

The show was created for anyone who has ever felt like they have done something out of character just to fit in. I had young men like me in mind, who can sometimes feel lost in a changing world and use football as a form of escapism and identity. Ultimately, it is for everyone. At its heart, it is about friendship and the importance of checking in on your mates.

Lastly, can you give us three words to describe Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England?

Fast. Fanatic. Passionate.