A musical adaptation of the Gibran Khalil Gibran, the renowned Lebanese-American writer and poet started its debut on Friday, February 11th, in Charing Cross Theater, in London’s West End.
Broken Wings, the new musical adaptation of Gibran’s autobiographical novel with the same name, tells the true story of the author’s first love in a mix of poetry and music.
The novel is set in Beirut, where the then 18-year-old Gibran Khalil Gibran falls in love with the daughter of his father’s friend, Selma Karamy, and the relationship gets affected by societal obligations and conventions.
In his novel, the iconic Lebanese writer portrays the happiness and sorrow of his love for Selma, while reflecting on the spiritual dimension of human existence and focusing on issues of religion, corruption, and patriarchal restrictions on women.
Broken Wings, the musical, reflects on issues such as gender equality, immigration, and love. It is written by Lebanese-British actor Nadim Naaman and the music composed by Dana Al Fardan, Qatar’s first female contemporary composer, singer, and songwriter.
Broken Wings first premiered in 2018 in the West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket before touring the Middle East.
Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan have previously co-written another stage musical, entitled Rumi: The Musical, based on a story about the iconic 13th-century philosopher and poet Rumi and his mentor Shams Tabrizi.
Gibran Khalil Gibran was born in 1883 in the Lebanese northern town of Bsharri, where he grew up until he emigrated with his family to the United States, where he studied art.
Gibran’s most recognized literary work is The Prophet, written in 1923, and includes a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose.
Broken Wings, the musical, is produced by Katie Lipson and directed by Bronagh Lagan, and starred by Lucca Chadwick-Patel, Nadim Naaman, Noah Sinigaglia, and Soophia Foroughi along with other talented actors.
