P*rn Play - Royal Court Theatre

Blessed with an albeit shocking title, Sophia Chetin-Leuner’s new play - P*rn Play - follows 30-year-old Ani as she struggles with an addiction to violent pornography. This play attempts to break down the barriers, showing that addictions that happen behind closed doors may very well find themselves up hindering your ability to live your life in the outside world. As Ani sees her life falls apart around her, she has to come to terms with the idea that what she thought would be a form of release might very well be the thing that will hold herself captive.

This show also raises important questions on female sexuality and the taboo that surrounds pleasure. It’s an uncomfortable topic to discuss in public, sure, but this play attempts to get to the root of this problem. Why is it uncomfortable, and is that shame really the reason why Ani ultimately becomes a slave to her own desires?

Photography: Helen Murray

Visually, the show is staged on a complex geometric structure made up of stacked circular platforms. This layered, almost sculptural set gives the performers a dynamic landscape to play with, using height and shape to mirror Ani’s unstable emotional terrain. It’s both cosy and disorienting—a playground and a prison—beautifully reinforcing the play’s central tension.

The cast handle the piece with extraordinary versatility. Their job taking on multiple parts is seamless, often shifting characters in the space of a breath, and bringing clarity and depth to the many figures who orbit Ani’s life. Each performer contributes to the sense of a world that is constantly tilting beneath her feet, yet their work remains precise, grounded, and deeply human.

Photography: Helen Murray

At the centre of the production is Ani herself, played with remarkable grace and commitment by the wonderful Ambika Mod. It is a demanding role—emotionally raw, at times awkward by necessity—and yet the performance never tips into melodrama or sensationalism. Instead, Ani becomes a complex, compassionate portrait of someone wrestling with shame, desire, and the quiet hope of change. It is a brave piece of acting that anchors the entire play.

Overall, P*rn Play is a bold and thoughtful exploration of an often-unspoken struggle, elevated by inventive staging and an ensemble whose skill and sensitivity carry the story with care.

Production Value: 70%

Value For Money: 50%

Personal Enjoyment: 50%

Overall Score: 57% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Royal Court Theatre, London

Playing until: 13th December 2025

Run Time: Approximately 1h35

Tickets for this production are now SOLD OUT. Check the theatre's website regularly for returns.