Porn Crackers

You see the letters and numbers every time you watch a film - U, 12A, 15 etc, flashing up on the screen. But for Sarah and Charlie our two film classifiers it’s not all romantic comedies and action films, in fact very little of it is, it is mostly porn and hard-core porn at that.

They must stay professional, no emotions or personal opinions allowed here, but for one of them at least it becomes too much to endure. Add some romantic heat and the film viewing booth becomes a pressure cooker.

This serious comedy is based on the writer’s Jan Woolf’s own time as a film examiner in 2001. It was first performed at the Hackney Empire in 2009 to acclaim. The play was revived last year in response to themes raised in the Netflix series Adolescence.

★★★★★ “A Wee Cracker. In the era of Jeffrey Epstein, grooming gangs, child abuse, and open internet access to depravity of all kinds, nothing could be more topical.” Morning Star 

Full review https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/wee-cracker

About Riversmeet

Riversmeet produces high quality writing, performance and teaching which engages with contemporary issues by linking the past to the present. What the past doesn’t offer us is a series of blueprints by which to understand where we are now. Instead it offers us analogies, other perspectives from which to view the present moment.

About the director

Aidan Casey is an actor and writer who trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA). He divides his time between London and the West Country working across both theatre and screen. Other recent directing credits include the play “The Ocean Can Be A Bridge” in Exeter October 2025 and which transfers to the Alma Tavern in Bristol October 2026.

About the writer

Jan Woolf is a London based writer and reviewer who has published four full length plays, which have been performed across the South West and in London.  A varied working life as teacher, events producer, political activist, film classifier and editor has informed her work.

All tickets include a £1 admin charge

Approx running time 1 hour 15

All purchases for show at the Alma now have a suggested donation to the theatre and inhouse company of £3.00

You can remove this donation by changing the amount to £0.00, but please do consider offering your generosity to help us continue to offer great theatre at affordable prices.

The Alma Theatre has been serving the community for 29 years and has never been the recipient of ACE or any other funding. We offer reduced rates, preferential box office splits and extended promo support to assist all visiting companies. Your help will enable us to continue bringing fantastic stories to your local theatre, develop the programme, maintain the venue and create work in house. 2/3rds of your donation will go to the Alma Theatre, and 1/3 to our inhouse company, Schoolhouse Productions.

For our refunds and latecomers policy, please head to the Alma’s Theatre Information page.