Hadsan Mohamud makes their writing debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Crush, a tender and funny British-Somali romcom that explores identity, connection and healing. Also starring in the production, Mohamud brings a deeply personal story to the stage.
Set in a clinic waiting room, Crush follows two Somali teens navigating mental health and unexpected connection, offering an honest and uplifting portrayal rarely seen in theatre.
Crush runs at Underbelly Bristo Square from 5–30 August 2026 (excluding 17) at 15:55. Tickets are available here.
You’re writing and starring in Crush at Underbelly Bristo Square, what can you tell us about the show?
Crush is a romcom about two teenagers who meet at an eating disorder clinic.
We meet Najma and Zakariya. Najma has been going to the clinic for four years and Zakariya has only been attending for six months. They meet by chance in the waiting room one day, and the play follows them as they go on this journey together.
It’s really a story about finding someone who understands you at a time where you feel like no one else does.
Crush is inspired by your own lived experience. How did you approach transforming something so personal into a romantic comedy for the stage?
I had an eating disorder when I was a teenager, so by the time I wrote Crush I had enough distance from that part of my life to approach it differently.
I knew that because it was such a heavy topic, I needed something to balance that out and soften it a little. A romcom just felt like the perfect way to explore it because even when you’re going through something really difficult, there are still moments of joy and humour.
I think making it a romcom also helped me separate myself from Najma. The only personal part is the eating disorder; everything else is completely fictional. Najma isn’t me, Zakariya isn’t someone from my life, and their story is their own.
That gave me the space to have fun with it and create these characters without feeling like I was writing my diary on stage.
The play explores mental health within Black and Muslim communities. What conversations are you hoping it might spark with audiences?
I really hope it helps destigmatise conversations around mental health in Black and Muslim communities.
I think there’s still this idea of what someone with an eating disorder “looks like”, and I wanted to challenge that.
I hope Crush starts conversations and makes people who maybe haven’t seen themselves represented in these kinds of stories feel seen.
You perform alongside Mohamed Hashi. How has that collaboration shaped the storytelling and dynamic of Najma and Zakariya?
It’s been really lovely having Hashi’s perspective on Zakariya. Especially because at first, Zaki was definitely giving “man written by a woman” vibes.
Having Hashi in the rehearsal room has helped me make him feel more real and layered. We’ve been able to work together to make the dynamic between Najma and Zakariya as honest and natural as possible.
This is your debut play as a writer. What have you discovered about your creative voice through this process and bringing it to the Fringe?
I’ve discovered so much about myself through writing Crush. It’s my first play, so it really does feel like my baby and I’m very protective of it.
I think this process has taught me to trust my own voice more. The things I used to think were too specific or too niche are actually the things people connect with the most.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Crush?
Definitely come with a friend… and maybe bring some tissues!
But also come ready to laugh. Even though it tackles difficult topics, Crush is full of joy, awkward moments and two teenagers just trying to figure life out.
