Adapted from Khalil Gibran’s 1912 poetic novel ‘Broken Wings’, the new musical is set in Beirut, Lebanon. The story is biographical and follows the life of Gibran as he returns to Beirut at the age of 18, after spending the last 5 years studying in America, where he finds love for a girl and for his country. Gregor Donnelly’s set captures the warmth of the city and the hustle and bustle of people with the rotating set.
Written by Nadim Naaman; who stars the 40-year-old Gibran, shadowing his younger self, played by Lucca Chadwich-Patel, Broken Wings initially had a limited run at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 2018, followed by a few performances in Lebanon and Dubai. Director Bronagh Lagan has brought it back to London to share poems and stories from the Middle East.
Although it has the potential to tell a detailed story about forbidden love, female empowerment and religion, it really boils down to two 18-year-olds falling in love at first sight and being unable to marry, due to her being ‘sold on the market’ to the ‘evil’ bishop (Johan Munir)’s nephew (Haroun Al Jeddal). The foreshadowing of the events results in a disappointing lack of goings-on and the older Gibran narrating from the side doesn’t add much other than rei-iterate what we are already seeing onstage. It is not a subtle show and it does need a few lighter moments to appreciate the darker, more sensitive scenes.Broken Wings has a beautiful score by Dana Al Fardan and Naaman (arrangements by Joe Davison). Every cast member had exceptional voices and there were many spine-tingling moments, especially from the ballads, even though the songs are not particularly memorable.
Review by Hannah Storey
Rating: ★★★
Seat: S12 | Price of Ticket: £42.50
