Prurience

See it if You enjoy immersive theatre this is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. It seamlessly sneaks up on you to inform and you’ll have fun too.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable being out of control. This is a great experience but you need to play Ali g and let it happen. You can’t be in charge.

See it if you want to participate (actively or passively) in a sly & adroitly enacted addiction therapy session/meta-theatre performance art piece.

Don't see it if you aren't comfortable being uncomfortable in a perfectly simulated "new age" group therapy session & hearing frank discussions of sex/porn.

Also It was unclear how much verbal & physical participation the show wants the audience to engage in. If I were to go again (and I very likely will!), I would be more active and participatory. If you go, be fearless and engaging. I think it will enhance the experience. But no matter your level of comfort with immersion into the theatre piece, you will enjoy the many levels and layers of cleverless involved in this production.

The entire "cast" was great, but special kudos to the playwright/group leader Christopher Green who created a very clever immersive theatre piece and creates a very convincing character in the play.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy "audience as actors." You like super experimental theater and want to be INVOLVED in the show.

Don't see it if You don't like excruciating moments of just waiting because an audience member has to step up and do something. See below for more.

Also This was one of the worst things I've ever attended. The planted actors in the audience were barely worth listening to, though I might have enjoyed them more if the people next to me hadn't spent the entire time chatting. The facilitator seemed to enjoy the "lack of movement" on the audience's part way to much, it felt indulgent and infuriating. This wasn't "playful" this was excruciatingly dull and not at all "smart and edgy." Being thrown into a "porn support group meeting" isn't my idea of entertainment or relevant theater. After a day spent in a grueling job, I want to relax, not felt put on the spot to entertain other people who've paid to be in this room. It was insulting to want us to do the work of being relevant theater/entertaining instead of entertained.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be immersed in a group that includes obvious actors playing roles with specific viewpoints on pornography

Don't see it if You want more than to be surrounded by others who share the question "what are we doing here?"

See it if Mysterious play about a porno support group.I was hoodwinked believing it was a support group.Lots of fun, eclectic cast. & interactive

Don't see it if You don't like to hear obscene & raunchy language

See it if You want to see an immersive intelligent play.

Don't see it if You are expecting a normal play.

Also Excellent reflexion about pornography.

See it if you want a fantastically creative immersive piece of theatre, you will be self-reflecting afterward, but laughing throughout the smart play

Don't see it if you want a traditional theatre piece - be prepared to be immersed & to participate. Porn addiction is 'a' subject so be wise.

Also Just got back from a preview of this wonderful experience - be a part of a self-help therapy session, get to meet some of the other participants, and learn more about yourself with the help of our mentor. Oh, and Porn.

The show does not revolve entirely around porn, and no porn is actually watched through the evening - fear not!

Loved this show! Hilarious, poignant, satirical, deep and lighthearted all at the same time, Prurience looks at self-help culture, and the culture surrounding pornography today.

The cast is incredible, and the writing throughout is wonderful.

If you have any questions about it (suitability etc), please feel free to ask, but I would totally recommend to any immersive fans in NYC!... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy immersive shows. You're open to new experiences w/no idea where you'll end up, or long for something new & different in theater.

Don't see it if u want traditional theater or dislike immersive shows, tho u can sit in back/not participate. U dislike any sex talk, even small amounts

Also I'm so glad I went to this despite fearing it was going to be all abt sex or porn -- it's really not. Yes, there'll be short shared stories abt people's experiences w/porn, but they're not graphic, & they're not what this tackles anyways.

IMHO, this is abt interpersonal dynamics in a group, how we behave in "real life" vs. in private, traps we lay for ourselves or (perhaps more so) are lured into, what is real vs. not, & how we do/don't support each other thru life. As you can tell from this list, it's a bit scattershot & doesn't dwell on things long, but it's a fantastic, hilarious at times (I laughed out loud), unique experience if you can let go & enjoy the ride (esp if you get a good audience, each nite will be different).

This is not necess going to be a show you love (unless you love participatory theater, I do). But it will keep you thinking long after abt how the show is constructed, larger social themes in it (incl addiction in general), & interpersonal dynamics in your life... Read more Read less

See it if you want a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, don't mind participation, and feel comfortable with sexual topics

Don't see it if you want a traditional sit-down experience, are intensely uncomfortable participating, or don't like plays with sexual themes

Also Prurience isn't for everyone. Admittedly I'm not the fondest of participating verbally in any kind of performance, but I was happy to silently participate. The beauty about it is that you don't have to if you don't want to, you just have to have an open mind. I found Chris Green's process and writing to be fascinating, and his portrayal of the group leader was the perfect balance of acceptance and come-drink-the-koolaid. The other actor plants were less successful. The second the one woman started to talk I could tell she was acting, which although we knew there were actor plants going into it, made it feel less sincere and effective. Go if you want a truly unique evening out, and maybe go alone instead of with friends. It adds something to the experience.... Read more Read less

See it if you like the idea of a performance in the form of a therapy session, like figuring out actors vs overeager audience members

Don't see it if you don't like participatory theatre and actors talking to you, and/or the subject of pornography and addiction makes you uncomfortable

See it if You enjoy immersive performance of contemporary edgy themes where the line blues between actor and audience.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with sexual topics and prefer a normal theater experience of audience separate from the actors.

See it if You like to be shaken out of your comfort zone. The beginning is super awkward but by the end you’ll understand why

Don't see it if You like more conventional theater and don’t like to be made uncomfortable

See it if you want to see an immersive show where you don't know who's acting and who's not. Well staged, very clever, and incredibly strange!

Don't see it if you want a simple/straightforward play, or are not ready to hear about adult topics (though the porn discussions weren't too graphic imo).

Also I'm still not sure if I liked it overall but I can't stop thinking about it, so that's a sign of good theatre to me!... Read more Read less

See it if you like surprises that creep up on you. Enjoy the unexpected. If you like thought provoking theater.

Don't see it if you take things too literally.