By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Sunday 13 July, opens 15 July and runs through 17 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this 4-hander about monogamy in gay relationships is Foster’s (Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre) heartfelt performance as Andy as they try to salvage their open relationship with gym-obsessed Michael (Daniel Bravo, Cruel Intentions, Other Palace).

• Read on for reasons including how it’s a thrill to see such intimate and thought-provoking material in a studio setting

Four Play starts with an indecent proposal from couple Rafe and Pete who’ve been together as a closed couple for more than 7 years and want to sleep with Michael to reassure themselves they’ve not missed out on anything.

They ask Michael not to tell his partner Andy but he does and what follows is the awkward fall-out as Rafe and Pete sleep separately with Michael for 1 night only.

Writing in the programme writer Jake Brunger explains it was written after gay marriage was legalised in 2013 as part of the Old Vic New Voices scheme and starred Richard Madden (Bodyguard): ‘I’ve done a bit of tinkering to bring some of the changing language and sensibilities of queer culture bang up to date.

‘If there’s 1 message I hope people take from the play, it’s to simply treat your partner with the truthful respect they deserve – so long as you’re both on the same page, love can still be such a wonderful, special thing.’

Bravo’s Michael convinces as body-obsessed and prepared to take on such a tricky sexual challenge while Zheng Xi Yong (Your Lie In April, Harold Pinter Theatre) as Peter and Lewis Cornay as Rafe felt a little under-explored as Andy couldn’t resist making the most of what they know and making matters worse.

There’s lots to squirm in your seat about Four Play but also to laugh-out-loud to and Foster and Bravo in particular go furthest in wringing the most out of this material.

Chucking a Molotov cocktail at the notion of gay marriage might have felt radical in 2013 but feels perverse now particularly when the rights of the queer community feel more under threat at this time than any since then.

However Brunger is clearly a provocative writer to watch and his new stage musical My Life Without You – written on attachment to the National Theatre Studio – workshopped in London starring Caroline Quentin and Anita Dobson and is anticipated to premiere in 2026.

While we don’t think FourPlay will be regarded as his best work, it’s a thrill to be able to see Foster and Bravo in such a studio setting in material that is both intimate and thought-provoking.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy King’s Head Theatre Tickets
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