Alaa Shehada’s one man show about growing up in Jenin is a funny and powerful tale of Palestinians trying to lead ordinary lives under the ever-present threat of violence.
Comedy is the tone from the outset, as Shehada begins by engaging with the audience, getting us to laugh, clap along to music and interact with him to ease us in. He then tells us about his birth, the first boy born to his parents, passed around by all his aunts and uncles in celebration. At the same time, another boy was born in the area, Ahmed, who becomes Shehada’s best friend.
When a German artist comes to Jenin and starts collecting the debris from the latest Israeli attack, the boys are confused at first – why would someone want this rubbish? But then a sculpture of a horse is unveiled, pieced together from the rubble, and instantly becomes the pride of Jenin. The horse symbolises freedom in Arabic culture, and this horse becomes so much more than that for everyone in the city. Shehada’s own pieced together memories of it centre around playing between its legs with Ahmed and using it as a place to meet with his first crush. This is where the power of his story lies – in recounting simple, everyday moments that we can all relate to, then introducing an Israeli checkpoint. Shehada tells us about the events, good and bad, that have shaped his life, the people he has loved and lost, and everything that has gone in to bringing him here, to a studio theatre in Shepherd’s Bush.
The performance is a mixture of stand-up, storytelling and character work with commedia dell’arte masks that transform Shehada’s features while he transforms his body, using his physicality to bring to life the people that he talks about. The staging is simple – just a microphone for some of the stand-up, and a table of masks at the side. The mood comes from the lighting and music that change throughout: lively Arabic music to celebrate his birth; poignant and soulful for his grandfather’s entrance. At one point we are plunged into darkness when Shehada recounts one of his performances at the Freedom Theatre in Jenin, the place where he learned his craft.
Of course, there are sombre moments, this is a story about growing up in Palestine, after all. However, the majority of the hour and a half is spent in laughter. Shehada is an engaging comedian and a talented actor. Directors Katrien van Beurden and Thomas van Ouwerkerk from Troupe Courage have helped him to set the tone perfectly, it is more entertaining than informative and more uplifting than tragic. Running through it is a sense of art, whether it’s sculpture or performance, building something out of the wreckage that brings hope and joy even in the most awful circumstances.
The show runs on select dates between now and the 22nd of January at the Bush Theatre. Tickets are available here: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/
Reviewer: Charlotte Mansfield
Reviewed: 3rd December 2025
North West End UK Rating: