More Information
Age guidance: 13+ (Click here for Content Advisory Notes)
Running time: Approximately 1 hours and 10 minutes, with no interval.
THE HORSE OF JENIN, written and performed by Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada, tells a universal story of resilience and imagination. This show combines storytelling, mask and stand-up comedy to explore the everyday life of a boy growing up in Jenin in Occupied Palestine who, like every child in the world, just wants to play and have fun.
Following a major invasion in 2002, a German artist travelled to the city to create an artwork with the kids of Jenin. They built a horse, five-metres tall, out of metal and debris from the invasion. The horse is an Arabic symbol of freedom, so the people of Jenin placed this statue in the centre of the city where it stood for 20 years to represent their hope and resistance. In October 2023, an Israeli army bulldozer entered the camp and the horse was ripped from its place and driven away.
In this solo show, Shehada wonders what happened to the Horse of Jenin and with a powerful mix of imagination and comedy, he builds a new horse from the fragments of his memories and his hopes for the future.
THE HORSE OF JENIN was created and produced in the Netherlands by Troupe Courage and is brought to the UK by the Palestine Comedy Club.
Alaa Shehada (1991) is an actor and comedian from Palestine. He studied at The Freedom Theatre Acting School in Jenin (West Bank), a company nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2024. He is co-founder of Palestine Comedy Club, a core member of Troupe Courage in Amsterdam, and a “Doctor-Clown” with Red Noses International.
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20% off for Members & Friends when they book two or more shows at the same time.
Booking Enquiries
Our online booking system doesn’t allow customers to leave isolated seats. We do this in order to prevent gaps in the auditorium.
Please note that our boxes have a slightly restricted view. Seats marked with an ‘i’ on the seating plan have a restricted view.
If you require any help with your booking then please contact our Box Office by emailing tickets@stratfordeast.com or calling 020 8534 0310.
Written and performed by Alaa Shehada
Director: Katrien van Beurden and Thomas van Ouwerkerk
Comedy consultant/Co-writer: Sam Beale
Masks: Den Durand
Music: Remy van Kesteren, Khalil Al Batran
Dramaturgy: Maarten Bos
Designer: Roderick Bredenoord
Artistic Associate: Sacha Muller
Production Photography: Kamerich & Budwilowitz
Poster Photography: Dario&Misja photography
Poster Design: Buro Fritz
Trailer: David Koster
UK Producer: Qasim Salam
UK Technical Manager: Lily Woodford-Lewis
Special thanks to: Voordekunst, the donors of the crowdfunding, Jacqueline Kleijn, Hugo Keuzenkamp, Tjipke Bergsma, Nan van Houte, Lucas Hendricks
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