REVIEW: Broken Wings, Theatre Royal Haymarket ✭✭

Broken Wings review Theatre Royal Haymarket

Matthew Lunn reviews Broken Wings, a new musical by Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Broken Wings Theatre Royal Haymarket 2 August 2018 2 Stars I must confess myself to be unfamiliar with the work of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poet and philosopher whose work inspired this musical. On seeing Broken Wings, the story of his first love and how he came to lose her, I felt compelled to examine his work, and get to know him a little better. This musical offers glimpses of his life, his loves and his character, and one experiences moments of undeniable pleasure in the richly woven images of turn of the century Beirut. There is wonderful music, the work is sincere and admirable in its themes – in these dispiriting times, any piece that rails against women’s commodification is to be applauded. Yet its earnest depiction of … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Rehearsals from World Premiere of Broken Wings

Broken Wings Theatre Royal Haymarket

Great first look images from Kate Scott from the rehearsal room of Nadim Naaman’s new musical Broken Wings. “Broken Wings”, an autobiographical tale of tragic love based on Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran’s 1912 masterpiece, will premiere as a semi-staged production with 9-piece orchestra, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from August 1 – 4. Co-Writer Nadim Naaman leads the cast as the iconic Gibran, the show’s narrator, with Rob Houchen (Marius in the West End production of “Les Misérables” and “Titanic” at Charing Cross Theatre) as Gibran’s teenage self and Nikita Johal, fresh from playing the lead role of Wendla in the acclaimed “Spring Awakening” at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, as Selma. 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 … Read more

Nadim Naaman and Bill Champion to lead cast of By Jeeves at Old Laundry Theatre

By Jeeves revival at Old Laundry Theatre starring Nadim Naaman and Bill Champion

  The Old Laundry Theatre have announced that their upcoming revival of Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew LLoyd Webber’s musica By Jeeves will star Bill Champion and Nadim Naaman. This will be Alan Ayckbourn’s first revival in over 20 years of this jocular musical – from Broadway to Bowness! Nadim Naamanwho will play Bertie Wooster is currently playing Raoul in the 30th anniversary cast of Lloyd Webber’s ThePhantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Other theatre credits include Anthony in Sweeney Todd at Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop on Shaftesbury Avenue and Titanic in Toronto and Southwark Playhouse. Long-time Ayckbourn collaborator actor Bill Cgampion is to play the faitful, long-suffering man servant Jeeves. Bills other credits include Stephen Joseph Theatre, Broadway and West End including: Henceforward, A Chorus of Disapproval, Arrivals and Departures, Woman in Mind, Damsels in Distress Trilogy, Absurd Person Singular, Comic Potential; also Calendar Girls, Sunset Boulevard, … Read more

New Faces Join Phantom Cast – August 2016

Book now for The Phantom Of the Opera

The Phantom Of The Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unstoppable worldwide mega-hit is heading towards its 30th birthday in London’s West End and a few new faces are joining the cast. Continuing in their current roles are Ben Forster as The Phantom, Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine Daae, Nadim Naaman as Raoul, Megan Llewellyn as Carlotta and Jacinta Mulcahy as Madame Giry. From Monday 5 September 2016, new cast members will include Siôn Lloyd (Titanic, The Bodyguard) as Monsieur Firmin; Mark Oxtoby ( Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Oh What A Lovely War!) as Monsieur Andre; Paul Ettore Tabone (Love Never Dies) as Piangi and Daisy Hulbert (National Moravian-Silesian Ballet) as Meg. The Phantom Of The Opera has won over 70 major theatre swards including seven Tony awards on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End. It is the first stage production to reach world-wide grosses of USD$6 billion, surpassing … Read more

Two New Phantoms Announced

John Owen-Jones and Ben Forster to star as The Phantom Of The Opera

Major cast changes are afoot at The Phantom Of The Opera with the announcement today that John Owen-Jones will return to the role of The Phantom from 7 September 2015, with Ben Forster taking on the role from 1 February 2016. John Owen-Jones has now played the role of The Phantom  more than any other actor in the West End production’s history.  John’s last performance will be on Saturday 30 January 2016 when Ben Forster will take over fresh from the season of Elf at London’s Dominion Theatre where he will play Buddy. Joining both Owen-Jones and Forster will be Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine Daaé; Nadim Naaman as Raoul, Michael Matus as Monsieur Firmin and Christopher Dickins as Monsieur André. It is estimated that The Phantom Of The Opera has been seen by more than 140 million people worldwide and the total gross is now in excess of $6 billion. … Read more

REVIEW: Sweeney Todd, Harringtons ✭✭✭✭✭

Siobhan McCarthy and Jeremy Secomb in Tooting Arts Club's Sweeney Todd.

Eschewing grandeur and wisely opting to follow that sensible motto, Less Is More, this transfer of the Tooting Arts Club production of late 2014 is a complete triumph in every way. It takes you by the throat and clasps you firmly in its thrall for its entire duration. It is shockingly powerful, brutally honest, raw and rich at the same time. A cast of eight, a band of three, clever but simple lighting, the potent power of blood and candles, economy in every department, a dedication to the text and the score: these are the ingredients of this absolute success.