Alex Hill interview ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe 2026.

Alex Hill has made his name in Fringe Theatre through his brilliant one man show Why I Stuck a Flare up my Arse for England. After his one night in the West End and a trip to New York. Alex is about to return to the Edinburgh Fringe in August in a new two-hander play called The Jolly Fisherman. I have caught up with him to find out more.

What are you thoughts on returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with a new show?

I’m buzzing! I’ve performed my show there for three years in a row which was utterly thrilling but incredibly hard work. It’s going to be nice to tackle new material but also travel up to Edinburgh as an actor rather than a producer and writer as well. I think it will be a bit calmer… well as calm as Edinburgh can be!

Has your show “Why I Stuck a Flare up my arse for England” now been retired permanently?

Never say never… but yes, once I’m finished in New York, there are no future plans for it to come back. It will be available for licensing though, so maybe we will get to see someone else do it at some point!

How many countries did you take your one man show to?

5: England, Scotland, Australia, Iceland and the USA.

Did you ever consider it would have been so well received and you would end in the West End?

No, it’s a cliche to say but it’s an absolute dream come true. When writing it in my bedroom 3 years ago, I was hoping to do the Edinburgh Fringe and then maybe a small pub theatre run at best. The journey we’ve been on has exceeded every expectation I had. To perform it in the West End and make my West End debut with it, well it doesn’t feel real.

Tell me about the latest play you are performing in. What is it about briefly?

The Jolly Fisherman written by John Dinneen and directed by Layla Madanat is a two-hander with the amazing Jonny Khan and me. It’s about two young lads called Alan and Amir who spend a lot of their youth and essentially grow up in a pub called ‘The Jolly Fisherman’. They go after school to play darts whilst my character’s dad hangs out there with his mates. It’s their second home until one day the pub gets shut down and a number of years later is redeveloped into a place of worship. This causes friction within the community and ultimately tests Alan and Amir’s friendship.

What is your role in “The Jolly Fisherman”?

I play Alan. A young, bubbly guy who loves The Jolly Fisherman pub more than anything in the world and dreams of being able to run it one day.

Have you had a part in its development?

Not really. I spent a day with John and Jonny in a workshop where we offered some ideas but the script has been masterfully sculpted by John and it’s in fantastic shape.

Is “The Jolly Fisherman” travelling anywhere else once the Edinburgh Fringe is over?

Watch this space I guess…

What would you recommend for anyone going to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time to try at least once while they are there?

I’d probably urge them to go and see Garry Starr’s show.

Do you have anything that you are planning on seeing while you are there?

Lots of great shows by great people… This is Not America by Philip Stokes, starring Jack Stokes over in Pleasance Courtyard – their work is always excellent. Hannah Maxwell’s new show over at Summerhall. You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next) by Alex Howarth, Keron Day, and Helen Chong – also at Summerhall. And hopefully, there are many more gems along the way!

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