***
Written by Alex Hill
Directed by Sean Turner
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| Alex Hill |
The real-life lunacy of one England fan in 2021, who did indeed insert a lighted flare between his buttocks, was the inspiration for Alex Hill's fictional drama. In this one-hander, Hill plays Billy, a young man used by Hill so the production notes advise, to explore toxic masculinity.
Hill's writing is vivid and his performance throughout the 75 minute one-act piece sensational. His energy - and ability to adlib where necessary - are hallmarks of a production that has been honed in the harsh intimacy of the Edinburgh Fringe. Hill plays Billy, a Wimbledon fan, who we follow through his drug and alcohol-fuelled football fanaticism and hooligan violence, through his relationship with a girl that we know is doomed to failure from the outset and ultimately to the incident with the flare.
Notwithstanding Hill's terrific acting, his characterisation is far too stereotyped. Billy is portrayed as an uneducated white working class male, with Hill inviting us to laugh (sneer?) at the young man's lack of sophistication.
Of course we do not know the real journey that 2021's idiot to perform such a dangerous act, with Hill's writing being disappointingly cliched in its narrative. Fo an audience member with little or no knowledge of football, seeing this play is only likely to deepen pre-existing prejudices about the beautiful game.
After three successful years at the Edinburgh Fringe and a brief UK tour, Alex Hill's play made a one-night appearance at London's Garrick Theatre before crossing the Atlantic next month for a 10-night run in New York.
A cliched script, albeit stunningly performed.
Performing at Soho Playhouse, New York from 8th - 18th July
Photo credit: Rah Petherbridge
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