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REVIEW | Four Play, King’s Head Theatre - London
- Harry Brogan
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
I went to see Four Play at the King’s Head Theatre. It’s a sharp, well-crafted little show that digs into today's relationship expectations.
The story follows Rafe (played by Lewis Cornay) and Pete (played by Zheng Xi Yong), a couple who’ve been together seven years and decide to bring someone else into their relationship. They haven’t ever slept with anyone else before, and their sex life feels stuck in a rut. Hoping to save their relationship and shake things up, they invite their friend Michael (played by Daniel Bravo) into the mix. Michael and his partner Andy (played by Jo Foster) have an open relationship with clear rules meant to protect their bond, but Michael breaks those rules without Andy knowing. The various dynamics create tension and drama that quickly spirals, showing how non-monogamy can be complicated when not everyone sticks to the agreed boundaries, and even though Rafe and Pete are open to exploring non-monogamy, the emotional side isn’t as simple as they expected. The writing of Jake Brunger allows Four Play to capture that tension perfectly, showing how jealousy, control and fear sneak into even the most honest conversations about freedom.
Jake Brunger's writing nails what it’s like to talk about monogamy and non-monogamy in today’s world without telling you what’s right or wrong. The characters throw around rules and boundaries like they’ve got it all figured out, but underneath it’s a mix of fear, control issues, and ego. It feels like overhearing those messy, performative “I’m fine” conversations we all know too well. The show captures that awkward honesty that’s so common in social circles, lots of talk, not always a lot of emotional clarity.
What’s cool is that Four Play doesn’t pick a side on whether monogamy or non-monogamy is better, it just shows how tricky it gets when people say they’re open but maybe aren’t quite ready for the feelings that come with it. That felt real and fresh, even if sometimes the emotional connection didn’t fully come through.
Director, Jack Sain, delivers a piece that is tight and clever in one room, no scene changes, 90 minutes straight through. There’s also a brilliant opening scene involving gym balls that got the whole audience laughing, but I won't spoil that for you.
Benedict Cork’s subtle music gives the show a rhythm that keeps everything flowing smoothly, almost like an invisible soundtrack.
The characters had clear personalities, but the performances didn’t always bring out the depth or nuance beneath the surface, at times felt like they were delivering their lines rather than fully inhabiting their characters. Michael’s role (played by Daniel Bravo) in particular felt underused, like there was more that could have been done with his character.
The standout performance was absolutely Jo Foster as Andy. Calm, convincing, natural, and completely present on stage. Foster brought a groundedness and sharp wit that made Andy feel like the only person truly living in the moment but also had a life beyond the scene. Foster's deadpan humour and composed exterior reminded me a lot of Foster's character in Why Am I So Single?, and it worked well here too.
Overall, Four Play is a smart, funny, and honest look at relationships today. It’s not perfect, and I would have liked a bit more emotional depth across the board, but the writing is strong, the themes hit home, it's very entertaining and Jo Foster’s Andy is definitely worth the ticket. If you’re into messy, complicated, awkwardly honest stories about love, sex, and commitment in the modern world, this one’s for you.
★★★★
Four Play plays at King's Head Theatre until 17th of August
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