'Cements Akhtar's standing as a fearless writer with oodles of talent and bravura who can navigate plot with feeling... the script has a pull and charisma that makes you want to keep on watching'
* Guardian *
'Intelligent and touching... effervescent warmth and sequin-bright wit... tender and heartfelt... peppered with sharp-clawed one-liners on race and sexuality'
* Telegraph *
'Beautifully observed... where Akhtar really nails it is in perfectly capturing the special kind of love between a gay man and his female best friend - and the peculiar sadness of losing that love when life gets in the way'
* Time Out *
'Akhtar again reveals a remarkable ability gently to burrow towards the heart of difficult conversations... The writing probes the complexities of race and class... fascinating'
* WhatsOnStage *
'Akhtar has such a gift for naturalistic, colloquial and relatable dialogue... The script dances along... The comedy is crucially character-driven... the play's themes are truly universal'
* LondonTheatre1 *
'A slow-burning tale that is as full of humour, melodrama and passionate relationship moments as real life... captivating to watch'
* Reviews Hub *
'A sharply observed look into whether platonic love can last... Akhtar writes accurately and perceptively about the friendships gay men have with women, with uncanny realism and laugh-out-loud humour. The Real Ones is a warm and thought-provoking story of platonic love and coming of age, both specific and universal... an impactful, relatable play from a very exciting writer'
* Broadway World *
'Engrossing, enjoyable and quietly inspiring... definitely a play for our times'
* Arts Desk *
'Akhtar's writing always feels refreshing in its approach beautiful in its realism, full of wit and dialogue that pushes the plot forward... truly captivating'
* All That Dazzles *
