Jake Brunger’s (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾ , The Great British Bake Off Musical) 2015 play, FOUR PLAY, about two queer relationships, has exploded on to the Kings Head Theatre stage.
Rafe and Pete have been in a monogamous relationship for seven years. Seemingly the perfect couple, deliriously happy on the outside but the sever-year-itch is creeping in and as neither of them has ever been with anyone else, curiosity is eating away at them. Are they doing it right? Is it good between them? Are they any good as individuals? Neither knows because neither has ever experienced anything but the other person.
Pete wants whips and chains, melted candle wax and ball gags, whereas Rafe just wants to be treated nicely, maybe with some candles burning (in the background) and a massage with some oil.
They approach gym fitness instructor friend Michael for help. To sleep with each of them, one night after the other, once and only once, so they can explore their desires in order to continue their lives together happily. There is just one catch – don’t tell Michaels partner Andy.
Michael and Andy are in an open relationship and so technically none of this is an issue. However, one of their rules is that the people they have sex with are strangers and never friends. Michael discusses the predicament with Andy (despite being asked not to) and they agree that on this occasion, it is fine for Michael to proceed and help out.
After the deed has been done, Rafe and Pete begin to question each other about their experience with Michael and it seems the whole situation hasn’t really solved any of the issues they had before (what a surprise – maybe they should get a dog).
Andy starts to question why they chose Michael to help solve their problem and not someone else and everything comes to ahead when the group get together not knowing who knows what about what. Drink and jealousy overflow into an erupting climax that throws both couples futures in to turmoil.
Directed with care and consideration by Jack Sain, it would be very easy to turn a play about four people exploring their sexual fantasies into 90 minutes of soft porn smut. But the sex scenes are beautifully handled, implying more than they show, making this play something to be proud of and other directors (especially in the queer space) should take note that not everything has to be overtly sexual.
Hot off the heels of playing Aaron Samuels in the West End production of Mean Girls the Musical, Daniel Bravo plays gym bunny Michael, who is so numb to having sex with strangers, he finds the pre-planning of these sexual transactions a little tedious and boring but is willing to help out two friends.
Lewis Cornay (Spongebob Squarepants) as Rafe is cute as a button, playing up to the subtle physical comedy of the piece, whilst allowing the others to go full throttle vocally.
Jo Foster (&Juliet/Why Am I So Single) is beautifully androgynous as Andy, confident and hilarious in their own skin. It is so refreshing to see someone be (and be allowed to play) so completely themselves. Jo steals the show with precision comic timing and is the clear stand out performance of this show.
Zheng Xi Yong (Your Lie In April) as Pete portrays the shy, quiet character with a secret fire inside him, who is really the driving force behind the whole situation. All four actors are brilliant and make Four Play something everyone can enjoy.
Whilst the story isn’t particularly a new one, the way it is told is beautiful and it is a benchmark for how queer theatre can be done well.
★★★★★
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Four Play is at the Kings Head Theatre until 17 August 2025
