My Festival: Alaa Shehada

There are thousands of shows in Edinburgh this month. Please tell us why we should come and see yours.

The Horse of Jenin is the story of Alaa (me) growing up in Jenin in the West Bank and discovering freedom and hope under occupation through art and theatre when an artist builds a 5m statue of a horse - a symbol of freedom - in his city.

The Bridge is also the story of Alaa, and he is carrying a container of his family’s olive oil across the border crossing bridge between the West Bank and Jordan and all the characters he meets along the way. This is the only way Palestinians under occupation can leave or return to the West Bank.

Both shows use stand-up, storytelling and physical comedy to tell stories that are tragic, hilarious and uplifting. In the Horse I use masks, but in The Bridge I create a cast of characters using physical and vocal characterisations.

Come see them both at Edinburgh Fringe - they are both unforgettable journeys and they will surprise you. Connection, courage, laughter, and humanity all await.

What will we learn from your show that we didn’t know before?

Through the Palestinian experience, these shows explore identity, displacement, resilience, and what it means to hold onto hope, home, and humanity. In the Horse of Jenin, we see how, even when a physical monument is torn down, its symbolic meaning cannot be erased: the sculpture is reconstructed from ‘fragments of memory’, and it’s still vivid. With The Bridge, we get to think about the universal right to play, connect, and survive. There are three additional dates for the show at the end of the month.

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Who or what was the biggest inspiration for your show?

The 100 times I crossed the bridge and what my eyes witnessed.

What’s the best review you’ve ever had, and the worst?

5 stars and 3 stars.

Who or what are you most excited about seeing this year?

There are some amazing shows taking place this year. Sami Abu Wardeh is an extraordinary clown and storyteller who takes a fearless look at the experiences of Palestinians in the diaspora. John Achkar is bringing stories from Lebanon which is very hard to find here at the Fringe. Hanna Shammas is a unique, laid back voice who shares, with wit and charm, his story and the story of his city, Haifa. Palestinian Circus is a big celebration about the Palestinian culture with a unique energy that is different from anything else.

Who do you most like spending time with in Edinburgh?

My director.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people.

I am thinking to win a Scotsman Fringe First for the third time next year, watch out.

What are the best and worst things that have happened to you at a festival?

Worst: Definitely the time I lost my home key… The best, easy… Winning the Fringe First award not once, but twice!

What’s the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?

In the morning: I have to check how many hours I slept. At night: I look in the mirror.

Thanks for the interview! We’d like to buy you a drink. Where are we going and what are we drinking?

You can choose the place - I trust you - but I’ll be ordering a cortado: more coffee, less milk.

The Horse of Jenin, Pleasance Courtyard, 1.15pm, until 30 August. The Bridge, Assembly George Square, 28-30 August, 8pm

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