“If we can’t laugh at misfortune, what else can we laugh at?” And laugh we did indeed. The Bridge is a play written and performed by Palestinian theatre-maker Alaa Shehada, co-written and directed by Sam Beale. It follows the story of its “hero”, Alaa, as he makes his way from the West Bank to Jordan, crossing a 180-metre bridge and navigating three checkpoints along the way.
Set in a black-box space, the production relies on little more than a stool and a yellow canister, with Alaa making full use of the stage to bring his story to life. It begins with him explaining his annual journey from the West Bank to Jordan, carrying the things his mother packs for her sister, who lives there: little “things that smell of the homeland”. The most important of these is 15 litres of olive oil, made from his grandfather’s olive trees, which his uncle tends. Alaa admits that, to him, all olive oil in the Arab world tastes pretty much the same, but perhaps it is about more than just the oil itself.
Alaa gives an energetic and heartwarming performance throughout the 80-minute run. The production’s excellent lighting design by Lily Dawford and sound design by Julius Pollux Rothlaender do a great job of creating the atmosphere of the different locations, taking us from the West Bank through each checkpoint and into Jordan. The story does not explicitly point fingers or grandstand about what should be done. Instead, it gives the audience some context and takes us into the everyday realities of Palestinian life, showing the challenges people face simply to make what should be a relatively straightforward journey.
The performance really shines through its blend of physical comedy, improvisation and audience interaction, all woven into the storytelling. Alaa displays real comedic talent, effortlessly switching between the different characters he portrays and capturing the many ups and downs of the journey. His physical comedy adds another layer of amusement, while his ability to engage different parts of the audience ensures that the energy never drops. The combination of mime, mimicry, improvisation and exaggerated physicality gives the play much of its humorous pulse. A special mention goes to movement director Micaela Miranda, whose work helps bring the physical storytelling to life and makes the journey feel so immediate on stage.
From a stage craft standpoint, the blend of lighting, sound, projections and music makes this one of the strongest one-person performances I have seen in a while. The story itself is relatively straightforward, and its central theme of travelling far from home to visit family is something many people will relate to. But the heart of the play lies in revealing just how much more complicated that journey can be for Palestinians, and how little those of us unfamiliar with their circumstances may know about the obstacles involved.
There were moments when I felt the story could have moved along a little more tightly, rather than spending quite so long on some of the physical comedy. However, the choice makes sense when you consider the absurdity of a journey that can take more than 12 hours. The repetition and frustration become part of the experience, offering the audience a glimpse of what it might feel like to be stuck in this process. I also felt that some of the more dramatic moments could have benefited from a little more nuance in the performance, creating a stronger contrast with the comedy and giving the heavier parts of the story even more impact. I did find myself wondering why the yellow canister was so central to the story, but its significance is eventually revealed towards the end.
The Bridge portrays a gruelling bureaucratic nightmare in an intimate, darkly funny and deeply human story. Alaa Shehada turns the absurdity of border politics into a powerful vehicle for storytelling, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained but also soberingly aware of the difficult reality behind the laughs.
The Bridge is running at the Bush Theatre till 11th November: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/the-bridge/
Reviewer: Prateek Sonny
Reviewed: 2nd November 2026
North West End UK Ratings: