The renowned composer’s Broken Wings, based on a Kahlil Gibran novel debuts in the region

24 July 2019 – Doha, Qatar:  Dana Al Fardan, critically acclaimed Qatari musician, composer, songwriter and symphonic artist, co-wrote the musical, Broken Wings, based on the novel by Kahlil Gibran, with Nadim Naaman. The musical will now debut in the region as part of the 35th Anniversary of the prestigious Beiteddine Festival on 24, 25 and 26 July, one of the leading Arts festivals in the Middle East. 

Based in Lebanon, the Beiteddine Festival is home to both Kahlil Gibran and Nadim Naaman and takes place within the grounds of the magnificent 19th Century Beiteddine Palace, a hotspot for tourists in The Chouf Mountains, less than an hour’s drive from Beirut. 

The West-End production, which itself is a piece of Gibran’s life, talks about love, family and duty in the 20th Century Lebanon. The events in Broken Wings highlight key social issues of the time: the fight for gender equality, tradition versus modernity, wealth versus happiness, immigration and the importance of ‘home’; themes that becoming are increasingly relevant today, over a century later.

Dana Al Fardan, who wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, said: “After the work we have done in London, the show’s creative home, it will be a huge moment for us, to take Gibran back to his homeland this summer, and to the people who know him best.”

Drawing on her cultural heritage, and influenced by a love of world music, Dana’s work is Arab-influenced, contemporary classical in style – which she brings to the musical. 

Nadim Naaman, the co-writer, added: “We have never stopped working to refine and improve this material. Now we are ready to take Broken Wings to the people who care for Gibran more than anyone - the Lebanese. I’m especially proud because of my Lebanese heritage, and what this project means to fans of both Gibran and theatre in the Middle East as a whole.”

Broken Wings Acclaimed West End Cast is led by co-writer Nadim Naaman as Gibran, Nikita Johal (Spring Awakening) as Selma and Benjamin Purkiss (Bat Out of Hell) as Gibran’s teenage-self. The Cast is completed by Adam Linstead (Fiddler on The Roof) as Farris, Soophia Foroughi (Spamalot) as Mother, Nadeem Crowe (School of Rock) as Karim, Karl Seth (Bend it Like Beckham) as Bishop Bulos Galib, Sami Lamine (Laila: The Musical) as Mansour Bey Galib, Bethany Weaver (Oklahoma!) as Leila, Robert Hannouch (Don’t Look Away) as Ensemble, Jake Stewart as Dance Captain/Ensemble and Hannah Qureshi as Ensemble. Produced by Ali Matar (AM Management and Productions), Broken Wings is directed by Bronagh Lagan and features orchestrations and musical direction by Joe Davison.

Further exciting news follows as Katara Cultural Village partners up with the West End musical Broken Wings, and further information about the show in Doha is coming soon.