REVIEW: Broken Wings at the Charing Cross Theatre

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. 

New Musical BROKEN WINGS announces casting for Workshop and concept Album

Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan’s debut musical begins its journey from page to stage. Produced by Ali Matar (AM Management and Productions), Broken Wings is a faithful adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s poetic novel, originally published in Arabic in 1912, and translated into English by Helen Zimmern. To date, Gibran remains the third best- selling poet of all time, after Shakespeare and Lao Tzu. 

Final workshops take place in London this month, before recording a concept album due for release this spring. Rob Houchen and Hiba Elchikhe lead the cast as teenage protagonists Gibran and Selma. Nadim Naaman will himself develop and record the role of older Gibran, the show’s narrator. Naaman says, “Trying to get a new musical on its feet is arguably tougher than ever, so we thought we would try things the other way around - release an album and get the material out there first. It has worked well for shows in the past, so let’s see if people like it, if we can generate a buzz and create an appetite for this new musical. One step at a time, but it is very exciting to have reached this stage.”