Full casting has been confirmed for the upcoming West End premiere of new musical Broken Wings, playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from the 1st to the 4th August.
The new musical, which is an autobiographical tale of tragic love based on Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran’s 1912 novel, features book music & lyrics by West End star Nadim Naaman (The Phantom of the Opera) and music and lyrics by Dana Al Fardan.
Broken Wings will see co-writer Nadim Naaman lead the cast as Gibran, the show’s narrator. He will be joined on stage by Hiba Elchikhe (Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin) as Selma Karamy and Rob Houchen (Marius in the West End production of Les Misérables and Titanic at Charing Cross Theatre) as Gibran’s teenage self.
Meanwhile, the rest of the cast includes: Adam Linstead (Old Deuteronomy in Cats at the London Palladium and International Tour) as Farris, Soophia Foroughi (Elena in Tiger Bay, Wales Millennium Centre and Lady of The Lake, Spamalot, English Theatre Frankfurt) as Mother, Nadeem Crowe (Doug/Mr.Spencer Williams in School of Rock at The Gillian Lynne Theatre and Sunset Boulevard, London Coliseum) as Karim, Irvine Iqbal (currently playing Sultan in the West End production of Disney’s Aladdin) as Bishop Bulos Galib and Sami Lamine (Laila:The Musical, West Yorkshire Playhouse and UK Tour) as Mansour Bey Galib with Robert Hannouch (Godspell, UK Tour, Miracle on 34th Street, UK Tour), Nikita Johal (the lead role of Wendla in Spring Awakening, Hope Mill Theatre) and Lauren James Ray (Rebecca in Imagine This, Union Theatre) as ensemble.
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 eighteen-year-old self returns to The Middle East after five years in America, to complete his education and discover more of his heritage. He falls deeply in love with Selma Karamy, the daughter of 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 one 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 their society lays before them.
The musical is directed by Bronagh Lagan, with orchestrations by Joe Davison. It is produced by Ali Matar.
Talking about the production 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 will play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from the 1st to the 4th August. For more information visit: http://www.trh.co.uk/whatson/broken-wings/