euner
Towards an Orgasmic Performance
“Talking about vaginas is so stressful”
Ani

Porn Play, this unusual and thought-provoking play, shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award in 2022, has premiered at the Royal Court Theatre. The smaller space, the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs proves an ideal setting for such an intimate performance.
At first glance, the title might suggest something seedy, but the play is far from that. It follows Ani (Ambika Mod), a lecturer on Milton an intelligent woman in a seemingly “vanilla” relationship with Liam (Will Close). For various reasons, Ani becomes obsessed with violent pornography against women, deriving intense physical pleasure from watching it, with or without her partner.

Her addiction drives Liam away, leaving her without commitment or stability. Forced to move out, Ani returns to live with her widowed father (Asif Khan), though she craves privacy from his genuine concern. Her compulsions escalate with dramatic consequences, eventually pushing her to stay with an old friend, Jasmine, who struggles to cope with Ani’s habit.
The staging is striking, upon arrival, the audience was asked to wear soft overshoes a practical choice given the heavy rain that day. Inside, director Josie Rourke and designer Yimei Zhao have used the space inventively: benches arranged in the round, covered in soft cream hessian, with a cushioned floor descending in three shallow levels. Cleverly, props are hidden beneath overlapping fabric, pulled out as needed—pillows, duvets, and more.

Ambika Mod’s performance is particularly impressive. On stage for the entire one hour and forty-five minutes, she is utterly convincing, shifting seamlessly from hard-nosed lecturer to flawed, vulnerable human being, masturbating. The supporting cast of Will Close, Lizzy Connolly, and Asif Khan play multiple roles with skill, and their rapid costume changes are remarkable.
It would be unfair to reveal too much of the plot, but while a few moments could perhaps be tightened, the overall experience is excellent. Anchored by Mod’s performance, the inventive staging, and strong writing. For clarity: there is no nudity or gratuitous sex, though the subject matter makes it unsuitable for children.
Porn Play is a compelling piece of theatre well worth seeing.

Production Notes
Porn Play
Written by Sophia Chetin-Leuner
Directed by Josie Rourke
Cast
Starring:
Ambit Mod
Will Close
Asif Khan
Lizzy Connolly
Creatives
Director: Josie Rourke
Designer: Yimei Zhao
Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson
Movement: Wayne McGregor
Sound Director: Helen Skiers
Information
Running Time: One hour 45 minutes
Booking to 13th December 2025
Theatre:
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square
London SW1W 4AS
Phone: 020 7565 5000
Website: royalcourttheatre.com
Tube: Sloane Square
Reviewed by Malcolm Beckett
at the Royal Court
at on 14th November 2025

