Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England

This tells the story of ardent football fan Billy Kinley, who sticks a flare up his bum at Euro 2020 and goes viral. What follows is a funny, raw and honest look at identity, loyalty and belonging. One flare. One man. One bum... One story. Don't miss it!

Sometimes a show comes along at the Fringe that’s so sharp, so brilliantly executed, and so wildly entertaining that you sit there thinking: yep, this is why I came to Edinburgh. This is one of those shows.

The direction was excellent—flawless, even. Every beat felt intentional, yet natural, with the pacing handled like a pro.

The set was simple but effective: a backdrop of England flags, two boxes (with more boxes inside—because Fringe shows love a box within a box), and a back piece doubling as both pint-holder and smoke-machine-hider. Functional, cheeky, and perfectly in tune with the show’s vibe.

Lighting? Incredible. It shifted seamlessly from naturalistic to dramatic, always keeping things visually engaging. Sound was just as good: balanced levels, clear vocals, and a score that never overwhelmed the performer. It’s amazing how much you don’t notice sound design when it’s done this well.

Video design deserves a special mention too. Clever, precise, and—crucially—not overused. So many productions fall into the trap of “look what we can do with projection!” and drown the play in it. Here, it was measured and meaningful, adding to the story without stealing the spotlight.

The writing was phenomenal: brilliantly paced, consistently engaging, and landing with a finale that was both shocking and deeply moving. It never sagged, never stalled, and balanced comedy with poignancy in a way that few shows manage.

The performance itself was a tour de force. Effortlessly funny, razor-sharp in audience interaction, and able to pivot on a dime into raw, emotional honesty. The characterisation was so precise it felt lived-in, pulling us in and not letting go.

If I had to nitpick? Maybe the set could’ve pushed just a little further in reflecting the themes of the piece—but honestly, that’s reaching. This is an exceptional production.

Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England is bold, hilarious, emotional, and flawlessly executed. The full Fringe package.