Alaa Shehada Performs One-Man Play The Bridge at Bush Theatre Until 11 November
Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada is performing The Bridge, a one-man play, at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush, London. The run was announced for 28 October to 11 November 2026, so the show is on stage now and closes on 11 November.
The play follows a journey from Jenin to Amman, Jordan. Shehada's character carries a yellow plastic container of olive oil, a gift from his mother for his aunt. WhatsOnStage describes the trip as a path through the bridge that links the two places, a crossing known as the Dignity Bridge, the Allenby Bridge and the King Hussein Bridge.
Bush Theatre describes the show as a very human tale of family and connection, hope and joy. It also says the story is set against the impacts of colonialism and broken promises. Both points sit side by side in the production, which the theatre's own listing presents as a story about people, not only about politics.
The staging is spare. The set is a bench and the olive oil container. Black-and-white illustrations by Jazz Thompson are animated on the back wall, giving the story a second visual layer. The show is performed in English but uses frequent Arabic phrases. It includes physical humour and moments where the audience takes part.
One Arabic word recurs around the play: sumud, which means steadfastness or perseverance. Shehada brings a mix of storytelling, stand-up and physical comedy to the stage, according to WhatsOnStage's listing for the show.
Shehada has performed in London before. His earlier one-man piece, The Horse of Jenin, is built from fragments of his own memories. It was presented with the Palestine Comedy Club, and Bush Theatre calls it an ode to the power of imagination.
Sam Beale co-wrote The Bridge with Shehada and directs it. The production runs in the Bush Theatre's main season, which the theatre announced in June 2026 as the first season under artistic director Taio Lawson.
Tickets and times are listed on the Bush Theatre's website. The theatre is in Shepherd's Bush, west London.
