The Real Ones
Written by Waleed Akhtar
HOLLOWAY THEATRE (Bush Theatre's main space)
About
A Bush Theatre Production
★★★★ “Funny, heartfelt and brutally honest… a bittersweet love letter to platonic friendship” (London Theatre)
The “impressive, intelligent, touching” (Telegraph) new play from Olivier Award winner Waleed Akhtar (The P Word).
A story of growing up, growing apart and falling short, this “intimate and expansive” new play is “theatrical magic” (BroadwayWorld). The Real Ones “cements Waleed Akhtar’s standing as a fearless writer with oodles of talent and bravura” (The Guardian).
The “perfectly cast” ensemble (London Theatre 1) includes an “excellent, incredibly likable” (London Theatre) Nathaniel Curtis (It’s A Sin) as Zaid alongside a “superb” (Time Out) Mariam Haque (Black Mirror) as Neelam.
“I love you. Like genuinely I love you. You’re a real one.”
Best friends Zaid and Neelam shared a dream: get away, make it as playwrights, build a future where they’re free to be themselves. Together, always.
Years later, things are far from what they expected. Zaid’s life has kinda stalled – half out the closet, living at home and still chasing the dream. While Neelam’s has taken a completely different path, as she chooses to prioritise her own happiness.
As their lives pull further apart and a mess of things left unsaid hangs between them, it becomes less and less clear if they’ll ever find a way back to each other.
The limited run of this “beautifully observed, bittersweet drama” (Time Out) has been extended, with performances now until 26 October.
This production is generously supported by Charles Holloway OBE.
Looking for show information and content guidance?
The Real Ones Self-Care Guide and Content Warnings
