Alex Hill returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this year in a new two hander play called The Jolly Fisherman with Jonny Khan. After Hill’s hugely successful run of Why I Stuck a Flare up my Arse for England.

Hill plays Alan, a young lad growing up in Barking whose Father spends a majority of his free time in the local pub The Jolly Fisherman along with his mates. Alan looks at the pub as his second home and is rather partial to a game of dates. This storyline at one point could have been echoed across the country.

Travelling to school one day, he sits next to Amir, played by Khan. Alan tries to spark up a conversation, and the pair have a brief chat. Although they go to the same school, their groups don’t mix. Alan is intrigued where “Amir’s” lot go at breaks and finds out they go to prayer. This is all new to him.

Over time, the friendship develops, and Alan introduces Amir to the pub, and the two school lads start hanging out after school together playing darts.

However, as with many pubs, the trade is dying, and no matter what the locals do, it’s not enough income to keep the business alive. After being closed for five years, the local Muslim community is interested in purchasing the pub and changing its use. This is where the friendship dynamics change between the two and animosity erupts.

The on-stage dynamics between Hill and Khan are excellent. Their timing is excellent, and they have a believable friendship. It’s a play about understanding cultures on all sides and how hard it can be to let go of something that you have always known.

The Jolly Fisherman is practically a sold-out show for the Edinburgh Fringe with small availability towards the end of the run. However, it is worth checking for daily returns. I dare  say this will not be the last time you hear about this play it has a future beyond Edinburgh Fringe.

For more information about The Jolly Fisherman,  please use the link below.

Four Stars

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-jolly-fisherman