No longer booking
  • Venue Bush Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 26 October 2024
  • Running time 2 hours (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 14+

Book The Real Ones Tickets at the Bush Theatre in London

The Real Ones is a funny and honest love letter to platonic soulmates.

This world premiere production comes from the team behind the Olivier Award-winning sensation, The P Word, reuniting writer Waleed Akthar and director Anthony Simpson Pike.

A talented cast includes Nathaniel Curtis (It’s a Sin), Mariam Haque (When Winston Went To War With The Wireless), Anthony Howell (A Thousand Blows) and Nnabiko Ejimofor (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy).

The Real Ones runs from 6 September to 26 October 2024 at the Bush Theatre London.

“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.

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Nathaniel Curtis
Nathaniel Curtis

Who is in the cast of The Real Ones?

Starring Nathaniel Curtis as Zaid, Mariam Haque as Neelam, Anthony Howell as Jeremy, and Nnabiko Ejimofor as Deji

Who are the creative team of The Real Ones?

Written by Waleed Akthar

Directed by Anthony Simpson Pike

Dramaturg Titilola Dawudu, Set and Costume Design by Anisha Fields, Lighting Design by Christopher Nairne, Sound Design by Xana, Video Design by Matt Powell, Movement Director Iskandar Sharazuddin, Intimacy Director Robbie Taylor Hunt and Casting Director Jatinder Chera

Important Notes

Access performances: Relaxed performances – Saturday 21st September 2:30pm & Thursday 10th October 7:30pm; Captioned performances – Thursday 26th September 7:30pm & Saturday 5th October 2:30pm; Audio Described Performances – Saturday 28th September at 2:30pm & Thursday 3rd October at 7:30pm; Touch Tours – Saturday 28th September at 1:30pm & Thursday 3rd October at 6:30pm

Venue Information

Bush Theatre , 7 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 8LJ

Nearest Tube or Train: Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line); Shepherd’s Bush Market (Hammersmith & City Line)

Nearest Buses: 31, 49, 207, 237, 260, 607, C1, 148, 72, 94, 95, 220, 272, 283, 295, N207, 207, 427, 607

Directions

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Critics' reviews of The Real Ones

"Beautifully observed" - TimeOut

"Intelligent, touching... effervescent warmth and sequin-bright wit" - The Telegraph

"Cement(s) Akhtar’s standing as a fearless writer with oodles of talent and bravura" - The Guardian

Frequently Asked Questions

The Real Ones is playing at the Bush Theatre in London
The running time of The Real Ones is 2 hours (including interval)
The age recommendations for The Real Ones are: 14+
Yes, The Real Ones has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday, Saturday
No, sorry, The Real Ones has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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