Where There Is No Time To Premiere At London’s Seven Dials Playhouse In March

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Where There Is No Time is a gripping debut play by Mohammedally Hashemi, starring the writer himself as a British Iranian-Yemeni designer torn between his cultural heritage and ruthless commercial demands in a high-stakes Mayfair fashion world, coming to Seven Dials Playhouse.

Where There Is No Time

The debut full-length play Where There Is No Time is set to make its world premiere at London’s Seven Dials Playhouse from March 17 to 28, 2026. Written by and starring the rising talent Mohammedally Hashemi, this timely drama plunges audiences into the high-stakes, high-pressure world of contemporary fashion, interrogating the steep personal costs of ambition, cultural authenticity, and legacy-building.

A Story of Identity Under Siege

Set in a sleek Mayfair atelier in 2025, the play centers on Yusuf, a brilliant British Iranian-Yemeni designer racing to complete a career-defining autumn collection. Recently rescued from bankruptcy by his pragmatic business partner Suzann, Yusuf now faces mounting commercial pressures that clash with his deeply personal creative vision. His designs draw profound inspiration from his Yemeni-Iranian heritage and the enduring memory of his late mother—most poignantly embodied in the unfinished “Dress of Faith,” a symbolic piece laden with emotional and political weight.

As Suzann demands compromises for market viability—pushing toward “controlled chaos” and sanitized appeal—Yusuf’s muse and closest confidante, Nina, fights fiercely to preserve the raw, unfiltered soul of his work. The narrative builds to a ruthless ultimatum from Suzann that threatens to sever Yusuf’s most vital personal and artistic bonds, forcing him to confront painful questions: Can global success coexist with uncompromised cultural identity? What parts of one’s history, grief, and heritage must be erased or diluted to “make it” in a cutthroat industry?

At its core, Where There Is No Time is a visceral examination of the tension between heritage and commerce, loyalty and perfectionism, and the psychological toll of relentless ambition. Hashemi poses a haunting, modern question: In the relentless pursuit of building a legacy, what are we willing to leave behind on the cutting-room floor?

A Talented Creative Team

The production marks a significant milestone for 26-year-old Mohammedally Hashemi, a British-Iranian-Yemeni multidisciplinary artist making his full-length playwriting debut (having previously excelled in short films, TV, and experimental theatre pieces like Klara at the Bush Theatre). Hashemi not only pens the script but also takes on the lead role of Yusuf, drawing from his own heritage and experiences exploring themes of identity, grief, and aspiration. He also serves as a producer on the project.

Co-producing alongside Hashemi is actor Sheyi Cole, making his producing debut. Cole is best known for standout performances in Steve McQueen’s BAFTA- and Golden Globe-nominated anthology Small Axe (as Alex Wheatle), Donald Glover’s Atlanta, Netflix’s Boxing Day and The Beautiful Game, and Steven Soderbergh’s HBO series Full Circle. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Cole brings his industry insight to elevate this intimate story.

Directing the production is Hamza Ali, a movement practitioner and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama MA graduate whose work blends psychological realism with dynamic physicality. Ali is a resident artist at artsdepot and an associate with the National Youth Theatre.

Completing the key creative lineup is dramaturg Alessandro Babalola, an accomplished actor (known for roles in Top Boy, Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and Unforgotten) and co-chair of Soho Theatre. His expertise in script development ensures the play’s themes resonate with nuance and depth.

Why It Matters Now

In an era when fashion increasingly intersects with politics, identity, and global capitalism, Where There Is No Time arrives as a bold, intimate reflection on authenticity versus assimilation. Hashemi’s play doesn’t shy away from the personal sacrifices demanded by success, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the human stories behind the glamour.

Performances run from March 17–28, 2026, at Seven Dials Playhouse (1A Tower St, London WC2H 9NP), with evening shows typically at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced from £24 to £36 and are available via the venue’s website. As part of the theatre’s Spring 2026 “Extraordinary Stories” season, this production promises to deliver a sharp, emotionally charged look at what we trade away in the name of achievement. Don’t miss it—time, after all, waits for no one.

Find Seven Dials Playhouse now:

Dates:                  17-28 March 2026

Show:                   Dress of Faith

Time:                     7.30pm

Venue:                 Seven Dials Playhouse

Address:            1A Tower St, London WC2H 9NP

Price:                    £24, £32, £36

Box Office:      https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk