The Horse of Jenin
“Alaa’s performance had more impact on me than the thousands of images I’ve seen on TV or the news.” - Noordhollands Dagblad
Written and performed by Alaa Shehada
In association with GOH Productions
Originally produced by Troupe Courage (Amsterdam)
Part of Under the Radar
US PREMIERE: After a major invasion of Jenin in April 2002, a German artist led an art workshop using the wreckage of bombed-out homes, cars, and ambulances. A giant sculpture of a horse was constructed, and as an Arabic symbol of freedom, the horse became the pride of Jenin. In November 2023, an Israeli bulldozer removed the horse. In this solo show, performer Alaa Shehada investigates: what happened to the horse? Was it arrested? Did they put it in jail? And did it tell the story of what happened to his best friend Ahmed? Using fragments of his memories and humorous personal stories, Alaa builds a new horse that is a theatrical symbol of resistance, resilience, and the power of imagination.
Written and performed by Alaa Shehada
Directed by Katrien van Beurden and Thomas van Ouwerkerk
Stand-up comedy & script consultant - Sam Beale
Masks - Den Durand
Music - Remy van Kesteren and Khalil Albatran
Dramaturgy - Maarten Bos
Production support (Amsterdam) - Monique Bos
Portrait Photography - Dario & Misja
Alaa Shehada is an actor and comedian who was educated at The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin, Palestine, a company nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in February 2024. Alaa is a co-founder of The Palestine Comedy Club, a core member of Troupe Courage in Amsterdam, and a “Doctor-Clown” with Red Noses International. He toured extensively in the USA and Australia with Amir Nizar Zuabi’s Grey Rock (UTR 2020), a play about love and dreams in Palestine. He is a recipient of a Jury Award at the International Festival of Liberal Theatre in Jordan, Best Show at the Palestinian National Theatre Festival 2018, and Best Script Co-Writer 2019 for London Jenin. He is one of the few Palestinian men who is still unmarried.
GOH Productions is collaborating with 55B Productions
Part of Under The Radar, the annual festival of experimental theater.
