About the Show

The contrasting lives of two gay Pakistani men navigate asylum, identity, and belonging in UK.

Zafar has fled Pakistan and seeks asylum in the UK following threats to his life for being gay. Londoner Bilal, otherwise known as Billy, feels fed up following years on Grindr and the challenges of being a brown gay man. Waleed Akhtar's play takes a look at casual hook-ups, the UK's hostile environment and how your identity impacts your chances in life.

This production is recommended for ages 14+.

Critic Reviews (6)

For a previous production

"If this is a slightly scrappy drama, it bewitches with hope, romance and heart."
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For a previous production

"Plays like this are rare, and this story deserves to have a wide audience fall in love alongside its awkwardly blossoming protagonists. "
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For a previous production

"It’s a powerful finale to a play that gives voice to the real people behind the news headlines."
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For a previous production

"'The P Word' gives you what you want as well as telling you what you don’t already know."
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For a previous production

" 'The P Word' is excellent in its writing, staging and acting. It is genuinely urgent and moving in its depiction of the positive side of Pakistani heritage and in its advocacy of change through human connection. Among the other P words, my favourite is P for pleasure."
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For a previous production

"The script feels slightly unfocused, prone to overreaching: there are points which tantalise...There's an end that gestures out beyond this story towards the even grimmer reality of deported asylum seekers which feels a little needlessly defensive, only as it's so unfortunately rushed."
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