The Horse of Jenin – Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield

Writers: Alaa Shehada and Sam Beale

As Migration Matters Festival draws to a close for another year, The Horse of Jenin plays to two packed out audiences at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse. This show blends drama, mask work and stand-up comedy to tell an entertaining, engaging and hard-hitting story about the history of Palestine, particularly the life story of writer and performer Alaa Shehada.

The play is written by Alaa Shehada and Sam Beale excellently. The pacing is executed to perfection, with pauses inserted at exactly the right moments. Every laugh lands as it is intended to. Throughout most of the show it is an out-and-out comedy which means the ending full of sorrow but also hope hits all the harder. The show breaks the fourth wall the perfect amount – we feel very much a part of this story, not just a spectator. Despite having no set, through brilliant descriptive language we are transported around Palestine with ease. We can visualise exactly where we are, and we can certainly picture the horse in all its detail when it gets introduced.

What makes this play really unique is the inclusion of mask work. The masks designed by Den Durand have a consistent visual style – more humorous than grotesque. Troupe Courage has worked with Shehada on the mask technique which leads to these moments being executed expertly. They are funny whilst still feeling heartfelt. It is an ingenious way to transport us to Palestine and give us an insight into the variety of people have had had an impact on Shehada throughout his life. He morphs into these different characters with great ease.

Alaa Shehada is outstanding as a performer – this really is a star making turn. He is likeable and hilarious from his first entrance. He opens with a short bit of stand-up comedy, but he pitches this perfectly to ensure it makes everyone feel comfortable in the space. There is no fear of being picked on and embarrassed. He then proves himself as a wonderful comedic actor, landing every punchline in the more theatrical scenes. Shehada then proceeds to break our hearts as the story reaches its climax, before ensuring we leave the space with hearts of full of hope that a better future is possible.

The lighting design by Roderick Bredenoord and Lily Dawford moves us between the different styles of storytelling with ease. The music composed by Remy van Kesteren and Khalil Al Batran transports us straight to Palestine, and into the Freedom Theatre is particular.

The Horse of Jenin is a wonderful piece of theatre and it should be what catapults Alaa Shehada into stardom. This reviewer will certainly be keeping a keen eye on whatever he does next.

Reviewed on 26th June 2026.

Runs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Pleasance Courtyard from 18th to 30h August 2026.