Foolish by Kate-Lynn Du Plessis looks at the pitfalls and commercial consequences of attempting to navigate a romance under the brutal and often chaotic lens of social media. The couple in question are introduced to us in the opening of the play, when Kiera (Kate-Lynn Du Plessis) invites Xander (Kelvin Ade) back to her flat for the first time. The fumbling, passionate, highly charged energy of this encounter was portrayed with such enthusiasm and skill that it almost felt intrusive to witness.
It’s extremely challenging to convey credible sexual attraction on stage. Movies have the advantage of editing, body doubles, prosthetics, CGI and the fact that viewers aren’t actually in the room with the fornicating couple. There’s nowhere to hide on the stage. An audience can feel fakery, regardless of how explicit or lively the action might appear. Du Plessis and Ade made it look easy, real and somewhat sexy. Within those first few minutes, they both proved themselves as assured and skilled performers. The scene was tightly choreographed and the director, Monica Cox has done a superb job of making complex stage business look entirely natural and intimate.
We quickly learn that Xander is a globally renowned musician and Kiera is a promising, but largely unknown author. Their giddy romping is cut short when Xander’s manager mother (Madeleine Hutchins) sweeps into their love nest to force her pop star son to return to his contractual commitments. This imminent schedule includes recording a new album in New York and several weeks of promo. This sudden sojourn, spawned by mummy sours proceedings and sows seeds of dissent. Hutchins is excellent as the narcissistic, meddling matriarch. Embodying both the parasitic nature of the music industry and a level of parental control which is material rather than maternal, the character has a touch of the pantomime villain. Hutchins has fun with this but keeps it entertaining and genuinely menacing without over egging the pudding. Almost camp, but not quite, which seems perfect for this role.
Before the couple have time to navigate their blooming romance, a real-life emotional altercation is captured on film by an unknown observer. This prurient content is then shared on social media with obviously malign intent. The offending footage is wilfully edited to show Kiera in a negative light. This sleight of hand prompts a slew of abuse from Xander’s unhinged online fan base. The audience never learns who’s responsible for this digital sabotage, but Xander’s mother would seem to be the prime suspect. The couple don’t address this glaring possibility, which may be the only flaw in an otherwise sharply scripted and constructed play.
Despite their best efforts, the couple’s energy is entirely taken up with managing the ensuing fallout, which negatively impacts Kiera far more than Xander. Welcome to the patriarchy, kids. Media speculation almost destroys her career, but mostly it rots their romance. It’s a lot to pack into a show that runs at just under an hour, but Foolish has no fat or waffle. Kate-Lynn Du Plessis has honed the script and galloping plot into a very disciplined shape that delivers the punches thick and fast. Kelvin Ade as Xander is totally believable as the slightly spoilt musical talent who lacks self-awareness but has plenty of confidence. As an actress, Du Plessis is a very strong performer, swinging from charged lover to hounded and distressed celebrity with compelling depth and range.
Foolish is hugely enjoyable, which in itself, highlights the inherent nosiness of people. The public seem to love nothing more than gawping at strife in relationships and speculating on its causes. This feels like guilt-free rubber necking as these aren’t Kardashians or real people on TikTok. Foolish is refreshing, bold and bangs along with the speed of an Insta feed being scrolled by a vaping teenager. The play ends with a brilliant line, delivered perfectly by Ade. To quote it might act as a spoiler, but its emotional truth stayed with me all the way home.
Foolish is at The Courtyard until 23rd August 2025.
Courtyard Theatre | Musical Events
Reviewer: Stewart Who?
Reviewed: 16th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: