‘Rest upon The Wind’ a timeless English classic recreating the life and times of Gibran Khalil Gibran will be staged at Oman Auditorium, Al Bustan Palace – A Ritz Carlton Hotel on March 16 and 17.
Theatre and art lovers of Oman are in for a splendid treat with a timeless English classic ‘Rest Upon The Wind’ to be presented in all its glory, meticulously recreating the life and times of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the critically acclaimed and prolific poet, writer, painter, and philosopher of Middle East origin.
Written and directed by celebrated actor and playwright Nadim Sawalha and produced by Ali Matar, the magnum opus ‘Rest Upon the Wind’ is presented by NPA Events. It will be an artistic and spiritual voyage that delivers Gibran’s most powerful and dominant message of love, peace, brotherhood and unity.
All set to be unveiled on 16th and 17th March, 2016 at the Oman Auditorium, Al Bustan Palace – A Ritz Carlton Hotel, the specially designed sets will transport the theatre aficionados to the very heart of Boston, Massachusetts of the 19th and 20th centuries, where the action unfolds. The play is an inspirational rendition of Gibran’s 1923 best-selling narrative ‘The Prophet’, which was translated to over 40 languages and selling over 140 million copies worldwide.
An enthralling mélange of drama, introspection, soul-searching discovery and the inimitable Arab comedy, ‘Rest upon the Wind’ chronicles Gibran’s life from the time he migrated from Lebanon, to Boston in America as an impressionable 12-year-old with his family. The play revolves around his struggle to survive, of those who helped him along the way, and his warm family relationships.
Brilliant cast
Eleven original members of the cast will be flying down from London especially for the play, which was first staged in the West End of London at the Tristan Bates Theatre.
Among them, the acclaimed, six-member cast with rich theatre experience will add a spark of brilliance to the proceedings. Fanos Xenofós will essay the role of Gibran Khalil Gibran while Lara Sawalha will enact the character of Michelline. Dina Mousawi plays Gibran’s sister Miryanna. Stephanie Ellyne portrays the role of Mary Elizabeth Haskell, a respected headmistress ten years Gibran’s senior – after meeting at his first art exhibition of his drawings in 1904 in Boston at Day’s studio, the two became lifelong friends. Nabil Elouahabi, a versatile British Moroccan actor, dons the role of the Ottoman Ambassador and Zak Sawalha plays Salim, an Armenian steward in Boston.
The original music score by award-winning composer Jules Deering, the breathtaking visuals, the outstanding performances of the cast, the brilliant onstage projection by Eva Auster, the stage and production management by Nicola Doningthorn, are all sure to make this spectacular presentation an unforgettable one for a long, long time to come.
“After staging Naseeruddin Shah in Jerome Kiltey’s ‘Dear Liar’, based on the relationship between George Bernard Shaw and Patrick Campbell, we were waiting for another unique event. ‘Rest Upon The Wind’ will be a veritable treat for theatre lovers and fans of the great personalityGibran Khalil Gibran,” says Ashok Suvarna, executive director of NPA Events. He adds, “Seeing the popularity of Gibran Khalil Gibran in the Middle East, we are looking at staging two back-to-back shows to meet the demand.”
OER is the media partner for this event.