When There is No Time Q&A

Now playing at Seven Dials Playhouse, Where There Is No Time follows Yusuf, a rising fashion designer on the brink of a career-defining breakthrough. Caught between commercial pressure and staying true to his cultural identity, he must navigate ambition, grief and the cost of success. We spoke to writer and performer Mohammedally Hashemi to talk about the inspiration behind the play, how his own background informs the story, and bringing the world of fashion to the stage.

The play is set inside a Mayfair atelier, what drew you to the fashion world as the backdrop for this story? 

What drew me was how unique the artistry of being a designer is. People literally wear your art, the way it directly affects people's lives fascinated me. 

Yusuf’s work is rooted in his Yemeni-Iranian heritage. How did you approach expressing cultural identity through fashion on stage? 

I took the approach with the central question's art vs commerce, heritage vs commerce, what do we create for? Initially it's to express ourselves but what happens when commerce, algorithms shapes decisions. What happens when we even profit from cultural exploration or even pain and trauma related to our heritage.

There’s a tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, is this something you’ve encountered in your own creative journey? 

Yes, I have the idea of making something commercial, that most people will relate to, has a lingering effect. When you constantly see certain stories being made, it subtly makes question the work you devise that doesn't get the money behind it.

The “Dress of Faith” sits at the centre of the story , what does it symbolise for you personally? 

For me it symbolises, being proud of ones heritage, and not being scared to speak out no matter the cost. 

Fashion is inherently visual, how did you translate that into a theatrical experience? 

The characters represented different archetypes of fashion, even the mannequin which was a 4th character and of course the clothes.

Where There Is No Time will play at Seven Dials Playhouse, London from 17th - 28th March 2026. For more information visit: https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/shows/where-there-is-no-time