News: Ramin Karimloo and Nadim Naaman lead the cast of Rumi: The Musical

West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo and co-composer Nadim Naaman lead the cast of new musical Rumi: The Musical.

Dana Al Fardan, one of the Middle East’s leading contemporary composers, and Naaman’s second musical follows the success of Broken Wings, which first premiered at the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket before touring the Middle East.

Rumi is based on a story about 13th century philosopher and poet Rumi by Evren Sharma, and it explores the transformative and poerful relationship between Rumi and his mentor Shams Tabrizi. With the impact of this extraordinary friendship on Rumi’s loyal wife, Kara, her daughter Kimya and his sons, Sultan Valed and Aladdin, what is the price that must be paid?

The legacy of Rumi has touched millions around the world and continues to make an impact in its universality and utilitarian nature. It’s a legacy that has lasted eight centuries and has inspired all nationalities, ages, faiths and backgrounds. But how did it all begin?

Rumi: The Musical launches with a ful-length concept album, with Karimloo and Naaman leading a cast comprising performers from Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian heritage, plus the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

The musical will be orchestrated and arranged by Joe Davison, with vocal arrangements by Nikki Davison and Middle Eastern musical supervision by Maias Alyamani.

Cast includes Ramin Karimloo as Shams Tabrizi, Nadim Naaman as Rumi, Casey Al-Shaqsy as Kimya, Soophia Foroughi as Kara, Sharif Afifi as Sultan Valed, Ahmed Hamad as Aladdin, Irvine Iqbal as Husam and Alim Jayda as Sayyed. Further cast includes Roshani Abbey, Amira Al Shanti, Eva-Theresa Chokarian, Maëva Feitelson, Sasha Ghoshal, James Hameed, Blythe Jandoo and Aliza Vakil.

Check out the latest theatre news.