An autobiographical account of KAHLIL GIBRAN’S first love, Broken Wings is a musical adaptation of the iconic poet’s 1912 masterpiece
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.
This moving new musical is written by Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan, and directed by Bronagh Lagan, produced by Ali Matar with orchestrations by Joe Davison. What inspired the acclaimed author of The Prophet to write? What moved him to such profound philosophy in his later life? The events of Broken Wings highlight key issues of the time, yet the themes and debates raised remain increasingly relevant today, over a century later; the fight for gender equality, the freedom to love who we love, tradition versus modernity, wealth versus happiness, immigration and the importance of ‘home’.
Nadim was recently appointed an Associate of The Royal Academy of Music, where he trained in Musical Theatre. Prior to this, he read Drama at The University of Warwick. His recent acting credits include Bertie Wooster in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn’s By Jeeves (The Old Laundry Theatre) and Raoul in The Phantom of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre). Other Theatre includes: Sweeney Todd, One Man Two Guvnors, The Sound of Music, Titanic, Chess, Marguerite, James and The Giant Peach and The Last Five Years. Nadim has been a guest soloist with The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, The RCO Concertgebouw, The John Wilson Orchestra, The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and at The Royal Albert Hall. As a songwriter, Nadim has recorded two albums, We All Want The Same (2013) and Sides (2016). Sides, which also features a selection of Musical Theatre covers, topped the iTunes UK Vocal Chart in June 2016.
Dana is one of The Middle East’s leading contemporary composers. Drawing on her cultural heritage, and influenced by a love of world music, her work is Arab-influenced, contemporary classical in style. With an established local audience, she is now garnering international attention. A live performance of her recent album Sandstorm sold out London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2017, and she has composed the score for forthcoming film release The Necromancer. Appointed as the official composer of Qatar Airways Group, Dana has composed a bespoke piece that greets millions of passengers every month on board the aircraft upon departure and arrival. Through this, and her support of music education programmes, nurturing creative talents of the next generation, she is contributing to the development of the arts in The Middle East from its very foundations - she was voted Grazia Arabia’s Woman Of The Year 2017.
Ali founded AM Management and Productions in 2003. To date, he has produced over 100 concerts and shows in London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Sydney, Doha, Montreal, Toronto, Paris and New York. Ali produced Nadim Sawalha’s play Rest Upon The Wind, inspired by the life and times of Kahlil Gibran, in ten different cities. Recent collaborations include work with Dubai International Film Festival, Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Raymond Gubbay Ltd., Spring Festival Bahrain, Marakesh Du Rire, Beiteddine Festival, International Entertainment Corporation, The Peace and Prosperity Trust, The British Lebanese Association, The London Palladium, Cadogan Hall and The Royal Albert Hall.
Recently, Bronagh Directed Little Women (Hope Mill, Manchester) and has been Associate Director for Pippin (Southwark Playhouse). Other Director credits include: The Adventures of Pinnochio (Ambassadors Theatre, West End); Brexit - The Musical (Edinburgh); tick, tick BOOM! (Park Theatre), Promises, Promises (Southwark Playhouse); As You Like It (Jacksons Lane); The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Chipping Norton); The Pajama Game and A Man of No Importance (both for The Pleasance); Heart of Winter and The Stationmaster (both for Tristan Bates); James and The Giant Peach (No.1 UK & World Tour); Rags - The Musical (Lyric Theatre); A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg (Green- wich Theatre); Expectations (Arcola); Blood Wedding (Courtyard Theatre); Henry VI Part 1 (Rose Theatre); Erris (Theatre 503), Julius Caesar (The Scoop) and The Madness of Sweeney (Lyric Theatre, Belfast). Other Associate Director credits include: Becoming Shades (The Vaults, Waterloo) The History Boys (No.1 UK
Joe graduated with The Award for Dedication & Commitment to The University of Warwick Music Centre, having playing for and conducted numerous orchestras under the tuition of renowned conductor Paul McGrath (of the BBC’s Maestro). He began working as Studio Manager for Cherry Pie Studios, whilst simultaneously freelancing as an arranger and transcriber, designing and building professional audio systems for churches, schools and studios. In 2009, he and wife Nikki established their own studio, Auburn Jam Music. He has arranged and produced albums for many West End regulars, including Janie Dee, Alice Fearn, Will Barratt and Nadim Naaman. As Musical Director, Joe has worked with Bill Kenwright Productions, The Royal Albert Hall, and regularly leads concerts and cabarets at London venues such as The Matcham Room at The Hippodrome, The Actor’s Church and The Pheasantry (Pizza Express Live). Joe has arranged and transcribed work for Music Sales LTD and Boosey
James has recently collaborated with Alan Menken, orchestrating the live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. He has contributed to over 80 film scores, including Shakespeare in Love (Universal), Gosford Park, (Capitol), Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (Warner Bros), Rise of The Planet of The Apes (Fox), Brave (Pixar), Thor (Marvel), Murder on The Orient Express (Fox) and Cinderella (Disney). As a Conductor, James has led The Philharmonia Orchestra, The ORF Vienna Radio Orchestra, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, City of Prague Philharmonic, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, The City of Birmingham Symphonic Orchestra and many more. In 2015, James was elected a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music.