Fringe Review: THE HORSE OF JENIN, Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard
Photo credit: Amelia White
A symbol of hope, a horse is constructed by a visiting German artist in Jenin, Palestine in 2002, only to be destroyed 21 years later in 2023 by Israeli forces. Alaa Shehada takes us through his life and in turn, the life of the horse of Jenin in this funny, beautiful and devastating ode to his homeland. Comedian and actor Shehada blends storytelling, clowning and stand-up, in this impressive one-man show performed at Beyond in Pleasance Courtyard.
Shehada bounds onto the stage with relentless energy that doesn’t drop for a second throughout his show. There’s immediate audience interaction, setting a precedent that follows for the next hour and a quarter as well. We start at the beginning, when Shehada weighs a mere 4kg in 1991, born at the same time as his childhood best friend Ahmed, a familiar sidekick to star in his anecdotes. Shehada is a master in character building, forming a world around him through voices and acting, and an assortment of masks.
Donning the masks, the audience are transported into his childhood self, Ahmed, his grandad and a plethora of others. As we fly through the years, Shehada keeps us abreast of the unrest in occupied Palestine but does so as part of the bigger picture. The story is about him, his dream to be a performer and artist and, in part, how Ahmed gets dragged through it all too. It is a cartwheeling coming-of-age tale of happiness and friendship, and how to live somewhere clouded by the constant hanging of threat in the air.
When the Horse of Jenin is constructed from the rubble of war, it is magical. Shehada and the children in the Jenin refugee camp chase it through the streets as it wends its way through Palestine spreading messages of hope and love. He builds a world on the precipice - fear and kindness, evil and humanity, and he does it all - somehow - whilst making you laugh.
Never missing a beat, Shehada’s writing is quick, smart and leaves a sting. With quiet emotion and the rush of childhood, he weaves a masterpiece of storytelling with minimal props and effective lighting and true to style, kicking down that fourth wall.
But not only is Shehada a comic - he is still fighting. He fights for freedom and solidarity with Palestine and sends the urgency of love and hope out to the world as Palestine continues to struggle. Shehada’s story is a tender, chilling reality told as a theatrical spectacle and call to arms. It is a must see for everyone, everywhere.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Hannah Goldswain
The Horse of Jenin plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 30 Aug, with further info here.