Stepping into the Bush Theatre for The Real Ones feels like entering a pressure cooker. Waleed Akhtar’s sharp, timely script raises the heat from the moment the lights go up. Set in the fraught world of influencers and public personas, this play pulls no punches when it comes to exploring fame, race, and the dark side of loyalty. The result is a provocative and tension-filled drama that leaves little room for comfort but plenty for thought.
At the heart of this gripping narrative is Deji, played with striking complexity by Nnabiko Ejimofor. Deji is a rising influencer, teetering on the edge of superstardom, and Ejimofor’s performance perfectly captures the fragility beneath his charming, curated image. As Deji’s public persona becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, the vulnerability and ambition beneath the surface clash, creating a whirlwind of conflict. Watching him unravel under the pressure of media scrutiny and personal insecurity is as captivating as it is uncomfortable. Deji is the perfect embodiment of a man caught in the crosshairs of public consumption.
Opposite him is Anthony Howell as Jeremy, a seasoned journalist who seems initially in control but quickly reveals a far more dangerous side. Howell’s portrayal of Jeremy is layered and methodical, offering a character who is not only a foil to Deji but a complex manipulator in his own right. His quiet desperation and subtle manipulation heighten the stakes, leading the audience to question where true power lies.
Akhtar’s script thrives on the fractures between identity and performance, revealing the cracks in Queer, public lives under scrutiny.
The emotional weight of the story is balanced by the supporting characters, Neelam (Mariam Haque) and Nick (Nathaniel Curtis). Neelam, Deji’s partner, provides a grounded contrast to the chaos around her, with Haque delivering a performance that exudes strength, yet reveals cracks as her loyalty is tested. Meanwhile, Curtis brings a raw, wide-eyed innocence to Nick, Jeremy’s boyfriend, whose emotional entanglement in the events adds layers of complexity. Curtis’s portrayal of Nick is delicately poignant, a performance that lingers long after his final scene.
The beauty of The Real Ones lies in how the relationships play out in such confined quarters. The intimacy of the Bush Theatre is perfectly suited to this character-driven drama, amplifying the tension that grips the audience from the start. The staging is minimal, placing the focus squarely on the interactions between the characters. With its bare-bones set design, the production emphasises the personal stakes at play, and the clever use of lighting adds layers to the emotional disarray. The audience is pulled ever closer to the psychological warfare unfolding on stage, with no room to escape the intensity of the situation.
As the story unfolds, Akhtar carefully peels back layers of identity, fame, and loyalty, creating a narrative that feels timely and reflective of today’s celebrity-driven culture. It’s an examination of what it means to be “real” in a world where performance is constant, and where the lines between public and private are increasingly blurred. The exploration of Queer identity within this context is particularly poignant, as it highlights the pressures of visibility and conformity within the LGBTQ+ community.
Final Thoughts ★★★★
Would I recommend The Real Ones? Yes. This production is fierce, contemporary, and unapologetically Queer in its energy. It challenges how we see power, identity, and the fragility of trust in a world obsessed with image. With standout performances and a razor-sharp script, The Real Ones leaves you questioning the very nature of authenticity – both online and in life. In a world where everything is a performance, this play reminds us that the truth is rarely simple, and being “real” may be the hardest act of all.
Playing at the Bush Theatre until 26 October 2024.
Disclaimer: Ticket was purchased without any association or endorsement from the theatre.
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