Flying high: New musical Broken Wings get West End premiere in August

BROKEN WINGS, West End star Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan’s autobiographical tale of tragic love based on the writings of The Prophet author Kahlil Gibran, hits the West End in August. Watch a video of one of the songs just released below…

Nadim Naaman (The Phantom of the Opera) and Dana Al Fardan, one of the Middle East’s leading contemporary composers will premiere Broken Wings as a semi-staged production with a nine-piece orchestra at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 1-4 August 2018 (press night is 2 August). The new musical is directed by Bronagh Lagan, with orchestrations by Joe Davison.

The cast is headed by Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, Titanic) and Hiba Elchikhe (Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin) as teenage protagonists Gibran and Selma, with composer Naaman (Raoul in the West End’s The Phantom of The Opera) as Gibran’s older self, the show’s narrator and Soophia Foroughi (Lady of the Lake, Spamalot) as Mother.

A Broken Wings concept album featuring an all-star cast will be released on 10 May. The album also features Gillian Budd, Joseph Claus, Nadeem Crowe, Siubhan Harrison, James Hume, Irvine Iqbal, Nikita Johal, Sami Lamine, Adam Linstead, Leo Miles and Lauren James Ray.

New York City, 1923. An ageing Gibran narrates from his cold studio. Through poetry and music, he transports us back two decades and across continents, to turn-of-the-century Beirut. His 18-year-old self returns to the Middle East after five years living in America, to complete his education and discover more about his heritage. He falls deeply in love with Selma Karamy, the daughter of a family friend and hugely respected local businessman, Farris Karamy. However, Selma soon becomes betrothed to Mansour Bey Galib, nephew of the powerful Bishop Bulos Galib, who has his eye on the Karamy family fortune. Gibran and Selma fight to reconcile their love for one another, whilst navigating the rules, traditions, and expectations that society lays on them.

Writer Kahlil Gibran, whose seminal work The Prophet was an international best-seller, remains the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Laozi. 

Nadim Naaman said:

“Kahlil Gibran is the Shakespeare of the Middle East, and the third best-selling poet of all time. His views transcend nationality, politics and background, read by all faiths and all ages. He was spiritual, but wouldn’t dedicate his life to one particular organisation of religion. Instead, he took the best of all faiths, championing humanity, tolerance and love above all else. I still can’t believe that the book hasn’t already been adapted for the stage; it is structured like a play and is awash with musical references. Much like Kahlil Gibran’s life, the creation of this show has been a fusion of both the Middle East and the West, so to be presenting this piece in London, at the stunning Theatre Royal Haymarket, is both fitting and overwhelming.”

Broken Wings runs for five performances only from 1 to 4 August 2018 at the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT. Performances run Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets from £20. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!!