Four Play ★★★★ King's Head Theatre | Jul 11 - Aug 17, 2025


Pete and Rafe have been together for seven and a half years and have never had another partner. When they decide to ask Michael to help them explore new horizons, he's a safe bet because he's in an open relationship with their university chum, Andy. Both the closed relationship, which is experimenting with opening up, and the open relationship, which has certain rules for outside liaisons, seem to be based on honesty. But, there's the rub! As in all good farces, it is hypocrisy that will inevitably trip up the characters. However, while Jake Brunger's Four Play starts out as a classic farce, at a certain point, it takes on a more serious tone. Personal insecurities, class issues, and tensions between the idea of romantic commitment and sexual experimentation start to become toxic. Both relationships become threatened, and the question posed is whether either of them will survive. In the first half of this play, Brunger's clever dialogue and the amusing plot twists are the source of lots of laughter. We know the characters will get the comeuppances they deserve and will learn something from their folly. Indeed, it almost feels like a let-down when things turn grim, and we move from the world of Molière to that of Edward Albee. The cast are generally strong and Lewis Cornay is perfect as the timid, yet take-charge, Rafe, while Zheng Xi Yong is completely believable as the more reticent, but risk-taking, Pete. Daniel Bravo does a nice job as the studly Michael, and Jo Foster completely dominates the stage as the victimised and volatile Andy. Director Jack Sain nicely paces the show, and he makes terrific use of the limited space available, although for those moments when the upper levels are used they cannot be viewed from all parts of the theatre. The sequences in which Sain has the lads exercising and planning their trysts are particularly hilarious. When it comes to fitting into a genre, Four Play, like its characters, might be awkwardly pushing a few boundaries and exploring some new territory. Ultimately, however, it succeeds at being both comic and contemplative about a topic that many contemporary couples end up considering.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Jack Sain

When, Where, Getting there:
Jul 11 - Aug 17, 2025
Various times and dates. See website below.
King's Head Theatre
Nearest tube: Angel
Map & Location: 115 Upper St, London N1 1QN, UK

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