The Jolly Fisherman, a new play written by John Dinneen and produced by Kick It Anywhere, has a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
“From the multi-award-winning producers of London smash-hit Brixton Calling comes a stunning new story. The story of Alan, Amir and England. Inspired by true events in London’s East End, two boyhood best friends must hold tightly to their friendship as their worlds pull them further apart. This is a play about who we are now and the places we call home. Starring Alex Hill (global Fringe-phenomenon Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England) and Jonny Khan (Olivier-nominated The Shitheads).”
Where: Underbelly, George Square
When: 5-31 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-jolly-fisherman
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
The idea came from a BBC article back in 2024 about a real pub in East London. No spoilers (I mean the article is still there if anybody wants to find it!), but I basically couldn’t stop thinking about the article and the reaction. Slowly, a play about two best mates emerged. Â
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
The Jolly Fisherman is the story of two boys loving each other’s company, but it’s also a political story of our shape-shifting national identity. And the cast we’ve assembled is unreal! Alan is played by OFFIE-Award-winner Alex Hill, the writer and performer behind Edinburgh Fringe Festival and global Fringe phenomenon Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England, and Amir by Jonny Khan, making his Fringe debut after starring in Olivier-nominated The Shitheads at the Royal Court Theatre and the RSC’s Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
Yes! In my first Fringe, I saw Nassim Soleimanpour’s White Rabbit Red Rabbit, which is still one of my favourite shows of all time. And last year I saw Dan Colley’s Lost Lear, which I had one of the biggest emotional reactions I’ve ever had to any show ever. So beautiful I actually get emotional thinking about it a year on! Those are the shows you chase, those feelings, those experiences of worlds beyond your own. That for me is what Fringe is all about.Â
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
Shows! I can’t wait to see shows every day. I’m going to binge.Â
What’s next for the show?
We shall see! Alex Hill and Jonny Khan are extraordinary actors. Layla Madanat is a brilliant director. We have a brilliant team. Let’s see how the show lands and if the project picks up any momentum, then we’ll think about what next. But for now, we’re just so excited for Kick It Anywhere’s Fringe Debut!