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Waleed Akhtar

The P Word

The P Word

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The P Word is a play by Waleed Akhtar that explores the lives of two gay Pakistani men, Zafar and Billy, who collide in Soho, London, at 2 a.m. It was premiered at the Bush Theatre in 2022 and won Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Akhtar was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 72 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Nick Hern Books


Zafar flees homophobic persecution in Pakistan to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. Bilal, a Londoner, is worn down by years of Grindr and the complexity of being a brown gay man.

In Soho, at 2 a.m., parallel 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. It went on to win Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre at the 2023 Olivier Awards.

Waleed Akhtar was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards, for his two plays, The P Word and Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan.

Zafar, a gay Pakistani man, flees his homeland due to relentless homophobic persecution. He seeks refuge in the United Kingdom, hoping to find a safer and more accepting life.

Bilal, a Londoner, is a different kind of refugee. He has been living in the city for years, but his experiences on Grindr have left him feeling isolated and alone. He struggles with the complexity of being a brown gay man in a society that often marginalizes and stigmatizes him.

One night, in Soho, at 2 a.m., their paths cross. Zafar is desperate for a place to stay, and Bilal offers him a temporary home. As they spend more time together, they begin to understand each other's struggles and find common ground.

The P Word is a play that explores the lives of two gay Pakistani men, Zafar and Billy, as they navigate the challenges of living in a homophobic society and seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. It is a powerful and thought-provoking play that sheds light on the experiences of marginalized communities and challenges the audience to think critically about the issues they face.

Waleed Akhtar, the playwright of The P Word, is a talented and emerging talent in the world of theatre. His previous plays, such as The Collaborators and The Inheritance, have also received critical acclaim and have been performed in various venues around the world.

The P Word was premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2022, and it quickly gained attention for its powerful and thought-provoking message. The play was directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike, who brought a fresh and dynamic approach to the production. The cast, led by Adil Ray and Omari Douglas, delivered powerful performances that brought the characters to life and captured the essence of their struggles.

The P Word went on to win Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre at the 2023 Olivier Awards, recognizing its excellence in theatre production. The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the cast, crew, and production team, who brought this powerful play to life and made it accessible to a wider audience.

Waleed Akhtar was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards, for his two plays, The P Word and Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan. This recognition is a testament to his talent and dedication as a playwright, and it is sure to lead to more exciting and innovative works in the future.

In conclusion, The P Word is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the lives of two gay Pakistani men as they navigate the challenges of living in a homophobic society and seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. The play is a testament to the talent and dedication of Waleed Akhtar as a playwright, and it is sure to continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Weight: 120g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839040948

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