Who are we? We are Pin Theatre Collective, a Bristol based theatre company, composed of director Phoebe Mulcahy, writer India Rodgers and actor Nicky Cooper. Our aim is to create fresh, vibrant and relevant theatre which has fundamentally human stories at its core.
We have created an exciting new show, He Wears It Well, which interrogates identity within queer relationships and how we wear the expectations of others.
This is our first time showcasing work at The Edinburgh Fringe, which has been a major ambition for us in our careers.
Where and when? Riddles Court - Clover Studio
August 4-12, 14-19, 21-26
What’s the show about?
He Wears It Well is fundamentally a play about identity and belonging. Archie, an internationally renowned football player, and Stephen, a leading video games designer, meet whilst they are creating the next best video game, Infinite Football, of which Archie is the star. They begin a romantic relationship, using cosplay as an escape from their day-to-day worlds.
Set against the backdrop of two stereotypically masculine environments, Gaming and Football, Archie and Stephen must interrogate their identities and decide which parts are performative and which are their truth. The show asks what might happen if a premier league footballer came out as gay in 2023.
Why tell this story now?
There still aren't any openly gay footballers in the men’s premier league. The only two professional footballers who have come out are Justin Fashnau in 1990 and more recently, Jake Daniels in 2022. We believe that until it is safe for all queer people to come out, then the work isn’t done and queer stories need to be shared. One of our fringe audience members was lovely enough to say that this play helps to create a platform where it's safer for queer people to come out, especially in the world of football. If this play helps anyone, even in a very small way, our mission is accomplished. We hope that our audiences come away from this show feeling safer and even more joyous in their identity.
What does the Edinburgh Fringe mean to you?
The Edinburgh Fringe has always been somewhat of a landmark and aspiration for all of us at Pin Theatre Collective. It’s the biggest arts festival in the world, which is so exciting to be a part of. Being able to share this story with the audiences at the fringe really is a dream come true.
We are so thankful to every one of our supporters for helping us get this show up to Edinburgh. From the preview audiences, to the people who donated to our fundraiser, our partners, friends and family. It remains incredibly expensive to take a show to the fringe and it is a fiercely competitive environment in which to get your work seen. We are overjoyed just to be here, amongst the best talent in the world and to share our story of queer love and celebration with you. Come and see the show! Here’s what reviewers and audiences are saying about it…
Professional reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A little hidden gem this fringe” - Derek Awards
Audience testimonials
“10/10 - Serious subject delivered in a fun play to start the day with - well written and acted. Commentary by Hewitt worthy of a spot on Match of the Day.”
“I was completely charmed by this show. Earnest, tender, thoughtful and funny.”
“A dash of heartbreak and a whole lot of wholesome, this show is a gentle tale that's all too real. Charming, witty, and heartwarming, the actors did a brilliant job. Well worth a watch.”
“Don't miss this outstanding piece of new theatre!! Not only is it funny, emotional and heart warming but it also hits on some extremely important topics that need to be heard! A must see! It was a brilliant way to start my morning - book your tickets now while you still can!!!”
“Such a beautifully written and performed piece - laughter and a few tears.. So glad I saw this!!”
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