No longer booking
  • Venue Bush Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 27 June 2026
  • Running time 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval)
  • Age guidelines 14+

The P Word Tickets London

Waleed Akhtar’s Olivier Award-winning play The P Word returned to the Bush Theatre for a strictly limited season.

Written by and starring Akhtar, the play follows two gay Pakistani men navigating love, identity and belonging in modern Britain.

When asylum seeker Zafar crosses paths with Londoner Bilal, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined in a moving and thought-provoking story about connection, survival and hope.

Following a record-breaking run, the acclaimed production returns with its original cast, including Waleed Akhtar and Esh Alladi.

Book The P Word tickets now for performances at the Bush Theatre.

Two lives, one Britain

Zafar has fled persecution in Pakistan in search of safety in the UK.

Bilal — who prefers to call himself Billy — is a Londoner struggling with his own sense of identity and belonging.

As their worlds collide, The P Word explores love, migration and what it means to build a life in a country that doesn’t always feel like home.

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★★★★★
“An astonishing piece of theatre”
Reviews Hub 2026
★★★★★
“Waleed Akhtar’s tremendous new play”
TimeOut 2022
★★★★
“Waleed Akhtar’s bewitching love story... Irresistible”
The Guardian 2022

Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of The P Word?

  • Billy: Waleed Akhtar
  •  Zafar: Esh Alladi

Who are the creative team of The P Word?

  • Written by Waleed Akhtar
  • Directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike
  • Set & Costume Designer – Max Johns
  • Composer – Niraj Chag
  • Lighting Designer – Elliot Griggs
  • Sound Designer – XANA
  • Movement Director – Rachael Nanyonjo
  • Dramaturg – Deirdre O’Halloran

Important Notes

Access Performances

  • Relaxed Performance – 13 June at 7.30pm
  • Audio Described Performance – 17 June at 7.30pm
  • Captioned Performance – 20 June at 7.30pm

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

Google Apple

Critics' reviews of The P Word

★★★★★ “An astonishing piece of theatre” Reviews Hub 2026

★★★★ “Akhtar’s dialogue is layered with tenderness” London Theatre 2026

★★★★ “A deeply moving, heartfelt and important play for our times” Broadway World 2026

★★★★★ “Waleed Akhtar’s tremendous new play” TimeOut 2022

★★★★ “Waleed Akhtar’s bewitching love story... Irresistible” The Guardian 2022

★★★★ “Tremendous” The Times 2022

"A beautiful romcom" - The Telegraph (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

The P Word is playing at the Bush Theatre in London
The running time of The P Word is 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval)
The age recommendations for The P Word are: 14+
Yes, The P Word has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday, Saturday
The play was written by Waleed Akhtar, an award-winning playwright and actor.
The production stars Waleed Akhtar and Esh Alladi, returning to their original roles.
The P Word follows two gay Pakistani men navigating love, identity and immigration in modern Britain.
Yes. At its heart, The P Word tells a powerful story about two gay Pakistani men whose lives intersect in London. The play explores themes of love, identity, migration and belonging, combining romance with a deeply moving examination of contemporary British society.
No, sorry, The P Word has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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