Awards

• Winner of Most Promising New Playwright, OffWestEnd Awards 2023
• Winner of Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre, Olivier Awards 2023

Overview

'I'm not in your Britain. I'm in another Britain.' Zafar flees homophobic persecution in Pakistan to seek asylum in the UK. Londoner Bilal (or Billy as he prefers to be known) is ground down by years of Grindr and the complexity of being a brown gay man. In Soho, at 2 a.m., worlds collide – and Zafar and Billy's lives are about to change forever. The P Word is Waleed Akhtar's sharp-witted and devastating play charting the parallel lives of two gay Pakistani men as they negotiate everything from casual hook-ups to the UK's hostile environment. A story of who wins in the luck of life's draw, it was premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2022, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike and received widespread critical acclaim, winning the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre. 'Tremendous, gorgeous, devastating... The P Word is heart-meltingly lovely, full of faith in the transformative power of love and friendship' — Time Out 'A tremendous two-man rom-com' — The Times 'A love story of heat and heart... Akhtar's script is self-aware and sprinkled with humour... thrillingly moving' — The Stage 'A tightly woven blend of acute observational humour, heartstopping drama, and chilling social commentary; Akhtar has so much to say, and somehow he manages to express himself with great skill and heart in approximately 80 minutes of stage time... truly magical... a fantastic piece of new writing... As far as I'm concerned, the P is for perfection' — Broadway World 'Part gay Bollywood romcom, part nail-biting thriller... an uplifting, heartwarming and incredibly funny piece of theatre' — Theatre Weekly 'An irresistible romance and so much more... a bewitching love story that raises urgent issues... the story has an irresistible quality that makes us believe in it and we are swept along... a drama with hope, romance and heart' — Guardian 'A beautifully wrought two-hander... Impressively heartfelt... Akhtar's writing is beautiful in its playfulness and precision... the Bollywood-style romantic ending is delivered brilliantly, so beautifully done you won't be afraid to cry... a perfect balance of joy and gloom... genuinely urgent and moving' — Arts Desk Most Promising New Playwright, OffWestEnd Awards Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre, Olivier Awards

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Reviews

'Tremendous, gorgeous, devastating... The P Word is heart-meltingly lovely, full of faith in the transformative power of love and friendship' * Time Out * 'A tremendous two-man rom-com' * The Times * 'A love story of heat and heart... Akhtar's script is self-aware and sprinkled with humour... thrillingly moving' * The Stage * 'A tightly woven blend of acute observational humour, heartstopping drama, and chilling social commentary; Akhtar has so much to say, and somehow he manages to express himself with great skill and heart in approximately 80 minutes of stage time... truly magical... a fantastic piece of new writing... As far as I'm concerned, the P is for perfection' * Broadway World * 'Part gay Bollywood romcom, part nail-biting thriller... an uplifting, heartwarming and incredibly funny piece of theatre' * Theatre Weekly * 'An irresistible romance and so much more... a bewitching love story that raises urgent issues... the story has an irresistible quality that makes us believe in it and we are swept along... a drama with hope, romance and heart' * Guardian * 'A beautifully wrought two-hander... Impressively heartfelt... Akhtar's writing is beautiful in its playfulness and precision... the Bollywood-style romantic ending is delivered brilliantly, so beautifully done you won't be afraid to cry... a perfect balance of joy and gloom... genuinely urgent and moving' * Arts Desk *

Author Information

Waleed Akhtar is a writer and actor. His plays include: The Real Ones (Bush Theatre, London, 2024); The P Word (Bush Theatre, 2022); Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan (Brixton House, London, and tour 2022); Sholay on the Big Screen (Bush Theatre, London, 2021); and I Don't Know What To Do (VAULT Festival 2020, Evening Standard Pick of the Fest). His English translation of Alexis Michalik's play The Art of Illusion was staged at Hampstead Theatre in 2022. His short film Lost Paradise was produced by UK Film Council and he has contributed material for BBC Radio 4's Sketchtopia and Newsjack. He was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards. Author photo by Dan Pick

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