Horse of Jenin

Horse of Jenin description

'Unprecedented demand' extends Alaa Shehada's stunning play, Horse of Jenin.

What happened to the Horse of Jenin? In Arabic the horse is a powerful symbol of freedom. But to Alaa Shehada, Palestinian actor and comedian, and his community this particular horse symbolises hope, love and resistance.

Pieced together from the debris of a terrible invasion, the horse sculpture accompanied Alaa as he grew up in Occupied Palestine. The sculpture stood proud in the heart of the city for two decades until, on 29th October 2023, an Israeli bulldozer tore it down. Now, Alaa is left wondering what happened to it.

This funny, moving and memorable coming-of-age story is crafted from Alaa's fragmented memories to create a heartfelt ode to the power of imagination, resilience, identity, hope, and defiance. No wonder the show won the Fringe First Award 2025 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Writer and Performer Alaa Shehada is accompanied by Sam Beale, Comedy consultant and Co-writer, with Direction from Katrien van Beurden and Thomas van Ouwerkerk. The Mask Artist is Den Durand, Dramaturg is Maarten Bos, and the Composers are Remy van Kesteren and Khalil al Batran. Lily Dawford is the Technical Manager and the Co-producer is Qasim Salam. The play is presented by the Palestine Comedy Club in association with the Bush Theatre.

Show your solidarity with Palestine and experience a moving story with a powerful message – buy Horse of Jenin tickets for a London theatre experience to remember.

Playing at Bush Theatre

7 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 8LJ GB (venue info)

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