The P Word – Bush Theatre

🎭 The P Word
📍 Bush Theatre
🎟 PR invite
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity”.

Waleed Akhtar’s new play ‘The P Word’ is powerful! It is moving, funny, eye-opening and brought tears to my eyes.

The story follows two gay Pakistani men, as their worlds collide. We meet Zafar, a gay man who flees homophobic persecution in Pakistan, after his boyfriend, Haroon, was murdered. Bilal, though he prefers to go by Billy, is a fitness and Grindr-obsessed Londoner, who chases after hook-ups, particularly with white men only.

The circular stage, designed by Max Johns, is split between our two characters, showing their contrasting lives. Bilal struggles with his self-esteem and body image; he appears addicted to the Grindr app and an intense fitness regime, to overcome the bullying he faced. Whilst Zafar deals with a hostile asylum system, where they torment his sexuality and a lawyer who suggests he integrates into the LGBTQ+ community.

In a scene at a Pride event, the two meet, and unexpectedly form a friendship, that blossoms into more. Bilal shows Zafar the sights of London, Zafar gives Bilal a hand-knitted gift, and they both share a love for Bollywood dramas. These moments were precious and performed naturally.

Bilal, played by Waleed Akhtar, battles with internalised racism and we learn he was bullied at school for being ‘brown, big and gay’. Esh Alladi plays Zafar, battling with the UK’s asylum system all while mourning the loss of his boyfriend.  Akhtar’s script is enthralling from the very beginning and even more when the duo come together.

Anthony Simpson-Pike’s direction accentuates the differences between the two men, with scenes of Bilal vigorously exercising, and downing protein shakes while Zafar on the opposite side of the stage, engages in prayers. As the play goes on, we also see their shared similarities as they open up about family, religion, and their Pakistani identity.

I was certainly emotionally invested in the characters and enjoyed the journey this play took me on. Alladi as Zafar was charming, and curious and was played with such warmth, that made me adore the character. Bilal, on the other hand, was brash at the start – calling his colleagues names and even referring to himself and Zafar with a derogatory term. He soon opened up, and we saw a softer, supportive side to him. Their relationship had the romantic fairy-tale-like ending we all had hoped for. I really loved that the play acknowledges there is not always a happy ending and pays homage to the LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who did not have the same opportunity as Zafar.

The P Word is both powerful and devastating. There was humour, heartbreak, and hope. Akhtar has demonstrated beautiful storytelling and managed to captivate the audience for the entirety of the 80-minute play. I want to say thank you to the cast and creative team for portraying such a profound story and the sad reality LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face.

Head down to Bush Theatre, to watch The P Word – showing until 22^nd October!

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