The newly released video is a collaboration between The West End and Beirut in order to raise funds for The Beirut Emergency Appeal, following the devastating explosion in Lebanon on the 4th August.
Released today, over 40 artists have collaborated between London and Beirut to film this new music video of ‘All I Longed To See’, from new musical Broken Wings by Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan, with Orchestrations by Joe Davison.
The video has been produced in aid of The Beirut Emergency Appeal, a collaborative fund established between both The British and Lebanese Red Cross, following on from the explosion on the 4th August in which at
least 181 people have lost their lives, over 6,000 people have been wounded, and 300,000 are now homeless.
This music video features performances from West End Stars and Broken Wings Alumni, accompanied by London-based musicians and members of The Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra in Beirut. In addition to reuniting members of the musical’s various casts and creative Team, the
performance was filmed and recorded at Southwark Playhouse, who donated both their stage and staff to the cause. Videography and Post-Production have been donated by The Barn Theatre, Cirencester.
Those who can be seen in the video include: Eva-Theresa Chokarian, Joseph Claus, Nadeem Crowe, Melissa Dano, Nikki Davison, Hiba Elchikhe, Soophia Foroughi, Fenton Gray, Rob Houchen, Irvine Iqbal, Hanna Khogali, Adam Linstead, Johan Munir, Nadim Naaman, Benjamin Purkiss, Lauren
James Ray, Mia Richards, Jeremy Secomb, Jake Stewart, Aliza Vakil and Bethany Weaver.
The musical Broken Wings originally premiered with a run of concert performances at Theatre Royal Haymarket in August 2018. Written by Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan, and with
orchestrations by Joe Davison, it was directed by Bronagh Lagan and produced by Ali Matar. Broken Wings has subsequently toured The Middle East, culminating in a run at Dubai Opera House in January, prior to the arrival of Covid-19. The musical is based on the 1912 novel The
Broken Wings, by the iconic Khalil Gibran. It tells the story of Gibran himself and Selma Karamy, whose poetic love story must navigate the societal customs and challenges of turn-of-the-century
Beirut.
Talking about the video Nadim Naaman said: “Watching events in Lebanon unfold over the last year has been extremely difficult. The tragedy of
August 4th came on top of financial collapse, political malaise and the impact of Covid-19. This time last year, we had just performed Broken Wings in Beirut, and the world was a very different place. It is a musical about Lebanon, about The Lebanese, and we simply had to come together to
help in some way. In the context of the show, ‘All I Longed To See’ is a love letter to this beautiful country. Particularly from the perspective of those who have had to leave Lebanon to find opportunities and safety
elsewhere. It was the perfect choice for this project. I am hugely grateful to the many singers, musicians, creatives and videographers who have come
together to create something to mark what has happened, and to raise invaluable funds to help those most in need and the rebuilding of Beirut.”
Those wishing to donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brokenwingsbeirut