Broken Wings - Charing Cross Theatre

[Deleted]

An autobiographical account of KAHLIL GIBRAN’S first love, Broken Wings is a musical adaptation of the iconic poet’s 1912 masterpiece.

This moving new musical is written by Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman (stared as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera) and Dana Al Fardan, and directed by Bronagh Lagan, 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’

Concept Album out in 2 weeks, 10th May 2018.
Cast: ROB HOUCHEN (Les Misérables) and HIBA ELCHIKHE (Disney’s Aladdin) lead the concept album cast as teenage protagonists Gibran and Selma. NADIM NAAMAN (The Phantom of The Opera) plays Gibran’s older self, the show’s narrator. The album also features GILLIAN BUDD, JOSEPH CLAUS, NADEEM CROWE, SOOPHIA FOROUGHI, SIUBHAN HARRISON, JAMES HUME, IRVINE IQBAL, NIKITA JOHAL, SAMI LAMINE, ADAM LINSTEAD, LEO MILES and LAUREN JAMES RAY.
Release: www.auburnjam.co.uk/product/brokenwingsconceptalbum/


Semi-staged premiere 1st-4th August 2018 at Theatre Royal, Haymarket.
Tickets: www.trh.co.uk/whatson/broken-wings/


Synopsis: 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.

[sf]

So can we expect Kahlil Gibran to take his broken wings, and learn to fly again, learn to live so free?

(Also, after 'Promises, Promises', "directed by Bronagh Lagan" should serve as a warning to RUN, as fast as you can, in the opposite direction.)

[Deleted]

Apr 26, 2018 17:10:57 GMT sf said:

So can we expect Kahlil Gibran to take his broken wings, and learn to fly again, learn to live so free?

(Also, after 'Promises, Promises', "directed by Bronagh Lagan" should serve as a warning to RUN, as fast as you can, in the opposite direction.)

That was the song that immediately came to mind when I saw the title

Though only people of a certain age will understand.

[viserys]

I'm old enough to understand

I do hope this has, um, wings. It sounds fresh, intrigueing and different and after all the brouhaha about the West Side Story casting I feel this is exactly the kind of show to further diversity, not just among the cast but also in terms of the stories themselves being told.

[Deleted]

Apr 26, 2018 19:13:41 GMT viserys said:

I'm old enough to understand

I do hope this has, um, wings. It sounds fresh, intrigueing and different and after all the brouhaha about the West Side Story casting I feel this is exactly the kind of show to further diversity, not just among the cast but also in terms of the stories themselves being told.

Let’s hope all those in the WSS thread championing diversity and BAME representation in productions will be down to support this.

[richey]

Apr 26, 2018 18:30:08 GMT @tbfl said:

Apr 26, 2018 17:10:57 GMT sf said:

So can we expect Kahlil Gibran to take his broken wings, and learn to fly again, learn to live so free?

(Also, after 'Promises, Promises', "directed by Bronagh Lagan" should serve as a warning to RUN, as fast as you can, in the opposite direction.)

That was the song that immediately came to mind when I saw the title

Though only people of a certain age will understand.

I was expecting that too. But then I guess I am now what is called a certain age

[zermatt]

Apr 26, 2018 17:10:57 GMT sf said:

So can we expect Kahlil Gibran to take his broken wings, and learn to fly again, learn to live so free?

(Also, after 'Promises, Promises', "directed by Bronagh Lagan" should serve as a warning to RUN, as fast as you can, in the opposite direction.)

I'm sure you were just trying to be funny. But en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Wings_(Mr._Mister_song)

"The song was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by a book called "Broken Wings" written by Kahlil Gibran"

[sf]

May 1, 2018 23:18:58 GMT zermatt said:

Apr 26, 2018 17:10:57 GMT sf said:

So can we expect Kahlil Gibran to take his broken wings, and learn to fly again, learn to live so free?

(Also, after 'Promises, Promises', "directed by Bronagh Lagan" should serve as a warning to RUN, as fast as you can, in the opposite direction.)

I'm sure you were just trying to be funny. But en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Wings_(Mr._Mister_song)

"The song was co-written with lyricist John Lang, who was inspired by a book called "Broken Wings" written by Kahlil Gibran"

No sh*t. Hence the joke.

[Deleted]

I'm not old enough (the song is only 3 years older than I am tho) and still understand

[zermatt]

Apr 26, 2018 11:39:25 GMT @remark said:

An autobiographical account of KAHLIL GIBRAN’S first love, Broken Wings is a musical adaptation of the iconic poet’s 1912 masterpiece.

This moving new musical is written by Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman (stared as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera) and Dana Al Fardan, and directed by Bronagh Lagan, 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’

Concept Album out in 2 weeks, 10th May 2018.
Cast: ROB HOUCHEN (Les Misérables) and HIBA ELCHIKHE (Disney’s Aladdin) lead the concept album cast as teenage protagonists Gibran and Selma. NADIM NAAMAN (The Phantom of The Opera) plays Gibran’s older self, the show’s narrator. The album also features GILLIAN BUDD, JOSEPH CLAUS, NADEEM CROWE, SOOPHIA FOROUGHI, SIUBHAN HARRISON, JAMES HUME, IRVINE IQBAL, NIKITA JOHAL, SAMI LAMINE, ADAM LINSTEAD, LEO MILES and LAUREN JAMES RAY.
Release: www.auburnjam.co.uk/product/brokenwingsconceptalbum/


Semi-staged premiere 1st-4th August 2018 at Theatre Royal, Haymarket.
Tickets: www.trh.co.uk/whatson/broken-wings/


Synopsis: 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.

There has been lots on Twitter this weekend from some supportive West Enders such as Ben Forster and Killian Donnelly. The concept album is now on iTunes. Had a listen on my train this morning, and it really is worth a go. Very classy indeed: t.co/84LfCC2oEt

[Deleted]

Opens tonight. Interested to hear feedback from anyone going over the next few days.

They've decided to make the programmes free, which I think is a great idea! Hopefully more productions follow suit..

[Deleted]

I'm seeing it Saturday, I'm certainly intrigued!

[viserys]

I spontaneously bought the CD at the Theatre Cafe last weekend and really like it. Look forward to hearing reports of the actual show!

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2018 19:46:12 GMT viserys said:

I spontaneously bought the CD at the Theatre Cafe last weekend and really like it. Look forward to hearing reports of the actual show!

Love that for two reasons. 1) that you enjoyed it and 2) how often do people 'spontaneously' buy CDs these day!

[showgirl]

All the reviews are great but I'd somehow missed this so am gutted that the special offers no longer work - and I have tried them all. I'll have to hope it returns; the reviews certainly seem to justify a longer life.

[robertb213]

Aug 4, 2018 4:19:06 GMT showgirl said:

All the reviews are great but I'd somehow missed this so am gutted that the special offers no longer work - and I have tried them all. I'll have to hope it returns; the reviews certainly seem to justify a longer life.

If it's not too late, TodayTix have Stalls seats for £35 for both performances today (£37.50 off full price). Fingers crossed this helps 😀

[zermatt]

Saw this last night. Was great to see a new show in the West End, packed! Granted, the run is very short, but still - the atmosphere in the beautiful Haymarket was wonderful.

The show is beautiful. It reminded me of Moulin Rouge in its framework. It’s not a game-changer at all. It instead feels like a love letter to many romantic musicals of the past, but this time designed for a new audience. I was surrounded by excited Middle Easterners, who sobbed through Act Two and shot to their feet at the end, the subject matter clearly meaning more to them than anyone else. I’ve never seen such a diverse audience in a West End Theatre.

Nadim Naaman and Rob Houchen are great in their roles, Houchen in particular singing like a dream. Soophia Foroughi steals the show in act two, and the orchestra is stunning. I happily admit I bought the CD at the interval.

[showgirl]

Thanks robertb213 but I'd already checked Todaytix (& have again) & there's nothing at that price.

[robertb213]

Aug 4, 2018 14:47:55 GMT showgirl said:

Thanks robertb213 but I'd already checked Todaytix (& have again) & there's nothing at that price.

How annoying, they had some at £35 when I checked this morning but you're right, they're not showing now. Hopefully it'll have another life in the future and there'll be other opportunities to see it 😀

[Deleted]

Well. Rob Houchen sings like a dream doesn't he? Is there a better male singer in London's glitzy West End at the moment?

[Deleted]

Any hope of this being revived for a longer run in the future?

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2018 14:52:49 GMT @eldermillan said:

Any hope of this being revived for a longer run in the future?

"More news later this year..."

[Rukaya]

[londonmzfitz]

I've just booked this (there are 2 shows, 2.30 and 6.00) as I didn't get to see it last year. This is going to Lebanon!

I follow Nadim on Twitter, I saw him last Sunday (Mothers Day) at a charity concert at the Cadogan Hall - with Adam Linstead too - and Nadim's Mum in the choir. His family stood the costs of the evening with all proceeds to the Princess Alice Hospice. He really is a terrific young man.

[FrontroverPaul]

I booked the 6.00 pm performance.

Front row is, as usual at The Other Palace, the lowest price at only £15 as classified as Restricted View, but I have never found that to be so.