Palestinian Alaa Shehada wins second consecutive Fringe First with new one-man show
Palestinian actor Alaa Shehada has won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for The Bridge , a one-man show that turns an arduous journey between the occupied West Bank and Jordan into a story about family, separation and daily life under occupation. The recognition marks the second consecutive year Shehada has received the award. His previous production, The Horse of Jenin , won…
Palestinian comedian Alaa Shehada triumphed at Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a second year in a row, earning a Fringe First Award for his solo show The Bridge. The play delves into the daily struggle of traveling from the West Bank to Jordan, symbolizing family separation and occupation. Shehada, presenting The Bridge, carries olive oil from his mother in Jenin to her sister in Amman, navigating various checkpoints.
The journey, though just 180 meters, can last up to 12 hours, highlighting the complexities of Palestinian life. Shehada's previous production, The Horse of Jenin, also won a Fringe First Award in 2025. He trained at The Freedom Theatre in Jenin and co-founded the Palestine Comedy Club in 2019, using comedy and theatre to share Palestinian stories worldwide.
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