‘The P Word’ – banking on talent and taking risks
See our latest video interview with writer and actor Waleed Akhtar and acv’s Suman Bhuchar reviews the current show…
STAR actor Indira Varma (‘Glengarry Glen Ross‘ play) recently warned about the timidity of theatre producers leaning on tried and tried classics and/or attaching celebrity names to simply pull in audiences at the theatre.
There is nothing wrong with the latter but she is highlighting a possible further narrowing of theatre work that can be produced.
She also told industry title, The Stage, that the use of celebrities and leaning on classics was possibly leading to higher ticket prices and even preventing audiences from simply enjoying – and discovering – new work for the sake of it and relating to writers who have something often new and powerful to say.
You can’t fault award-winning writer Waleed Akhtar for taking the chance on himself – as an actor – to produce work of this nature – his Oliver winning production of ‘The P Word’ comes to a close this weekend at The Bush Theatre in London.
With high profile celebrity executive producers US-based Tan France (of global smash Netflix ‘Queer Eye For The Straight Guy’ ) and Dr Ranj Singh (TV presenter and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star) on board, there’s a strong chance ‘The P Word‘ will have another life beyond its June return after premiering four years ago. Surely Broadway (or the US in general) or the West End beckon… and not to say anything about a possible TV adaptation?
We spoke to Akhtar about this run and what it means to him – he both stars and has added and updated ‘The P Word’.
See our Reel (link below) and our YouTube video (pending)…
Play has not lost any of its power…
Suman Bhuchar writes…
The P Word has been remounted at the Bush theatre after a very successful run in 2022 when it received the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre in 2023.
This gay romcom between Billy (Bilal) a British Pakistani man and Zafar, an asylum seeker is both tender and moving.
Even watching it now, it has lost none of its power and impact.
‘The P-Word‘ of 2026 has the same creative team as the original version in 2022 and original cast. It is directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike (who is currently director of Theatre 503), with set and costume design by Max Johns, Lighting by Elliot Griggs and sound design by Xana.
Akhtar plays, Billy (who is really Bilal) who is a London Pakistani man, slightly self-hating (maybe it’s a protective mechanism) who somehow runs into Zafar in central London. Slowly, they get to know a bit about each other.
‘The P-Word‘ is set on a circular stage in the round which has a split in the middle and until they meet, it is both characters presenting monologues to their audience communicating their private thoughts.
Billy works in a fashion place and is hoping to get promoted, his days are filled with keeping fit, hooking up with guys on apps and waiting for them to text him back.
Zafar (played by Esh Alladi) is a delicate, sensitive person who has arrived from Pakistan to seek asylum and lives in asylum accommodation in Hounslow. His head his filled with memories of his life in Pakistan, how his partner, Haroon was killed and his estrangement from his family because he is gay.
Accident or fate brings these two souls together and then the show takes on a different kind of vibe. We see their friendship evolve over walks, watching Bollywood films and Pakistani soap operas.
Through Zafar, Billy sees his relationship to his Pakistani family and culture with new eyes, while Billy also has a positive effect on Zafar who begins to come out of his shell. The audience is rooting for them to get together… and will they or won’t they?
Elladi and Akhtar are brilliant performers in their respective parts, so it’s hardly surprising that two celebrity gay icons, Tan France and Dr Ranj Singh came on board to produce and advocate for this gay romcom to be remounted and be presented to new audiences.
This is a tender, moving and powerful play.
ACV rating: ***** (five out of five)
Watch our short Instagram Reel – longer YouTube version later!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaDSQyNCuWJ/?igsh=MXhqaXoyZmlhMmp3cw==
All pictures: ©CraigFuller
Check listings for final tickets – The show ends on June 27
‘The P Word’ by Waleed Akhtar, The Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road London W12 8LJ
https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/the-p-word-2026/
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