It has taken over 10 years for the King’s Head in Islington to move from its historic pub backroom to a purpose-built bunker next door. Surely, in all that time, a better play could have been found to inaugurate the new space than this unfunny comedy of gay manners. Despite a few good lines and a potentially intriguing scenario, this tale of four egomaniacs swapping partners and violent blows against a backdrop of swanky Californian excess feels phony from start to finish.
Writers Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle claim to have been inspired by Hollywood screwball comedies, Shakespeare and Aristophanes. But the plot here is a basic retread of Noel Coward’s Private Lives, without the women or the charm. Preening Disney lawyer Conor has married young, needy English runner Mal. British starchitect Robbie – who had a passionate, addictive, violently dysfunctional marriage with Conor – is now with the butch, grumpy and previously straight garden designer Rayyan.
