{"product_id":"the-real-ones-9781839043864","title":"The Real Ones","description":"Best friends Zaid and Neelam shared a dream: get away, make it as writers, build a future where they're free to be themselves. Together, always. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eYears later, things are far from what they expected. Zaid's life has kinda stalled - he's 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, leaving a mess of unsaid things between them, it's going to take something real to bring them back together. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWaleed Akhtar's play \u003ci\u003eThe Real Ones\u003c\/i\u003e is a funny and honest love letter to platonic soulmates. It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2024, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike, and starring Nathaniel Curtis and Mariam Haque.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWaleed Akhtar\u003c\/b\u003e is a writer and actor. His plays include: \u003ci\u003eThe Real Ones\u003c\/i\u003e (Bush Theatre, London, 2024); \u003ci\u003eThe P Word\u003c\/i\u003e (Bush Theatre, 2022); \u003ci\u003eKabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan\u003c\/i\u003e (Brixton House, London, and tour 2022); \u003ci\u003eSholay on the Big Screen\u003c\/i\u003e (Bush Theatre, London, 2021); and\u003ci\u003e I Don't Know What To Do\u003c\/i\u003e (VAULT Festival 2020, Evening Standard Pick of the Fest). His English translation of Alexis Michalik's play \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Illusion\u003c\/i\u003e was staged at Hampstead Theatre in 2022. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHis short film \u003ci\u003eLost Paradise\u003c\/i\u003e was produced by UK Film Council and he has contributed material for BBC Radio 4's Sketchtopia and Newsjack. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHe was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Nick Hern Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51690670358802,"sku":"9781839043864","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d40f4884-e224-4ff9-bb9b-b9ba5c968973.jpg?v=1761743069","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-real-ones-9781839043864","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}