Nadhim Naaman becomes first Arab lead star in Dubai Opera’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera’
Dubai: For Lebanese-British theater actor Nadhim Naaman, the time has finally come. He has been associated with the popular musical “The Phantom of the Opera” for over ten years, first participating as a member of the ensemble.
This play, about unrequited love, was written by the famous British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and premiered in London in 1986.
Growing up in the British capital, Naaman saw posters for the play on buses and taxis. That was a big deal in the theater world.
Through hard work, Naaman recently landed the lead role in Phantom, becoming the first Arab actor to play the coveted male character on stage. (Included)
“When I was probably 15 or 16, my parents took my brother, sister, and me on a family outing, and I said, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. I remember thinking, ‘This is the best thing ever,”’ Naaman told The Arab. news.
Through hard work, Naaman recently landed the lead role in Phantom, becoming the first Arab actor to play the coveted male character on stage.
“The Phantom of the Opera” will be performed at Dubai Opera in the UAE until March 10th, with a production team of over 100 cast and crew members from around the world.
Performing in the UAE feels like a full-circle moment for the actor, who has been visiting Dubai for 30 years for family reasons. Last year, he also played the Phantom during a production of the show in Riyadh.
“I always knew this was my dream role. I just have to be patient and hope that one day the opportunity will come,” he said ahead of the show’s opening day in Dubai.
Performing in the UAE feels like a full-circle moment for the actor, who has been visiting Dubai for 30 years for family reasons. (Included)
“Being the first Arab to achieve this in this region, in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, is a perfect combination of circumstances…I never dreamed it would happen.”
This award-winning musical is based on the early 20th century novel “Phantom of the Opera” by French author Gaston Leroux. Set at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, the venue is haunted by the Hidden Phantom, a disfigured and passionate outcast who meets his protégé, young Swedish soprano Christine Day. fall in love with Things get tense when Christine’s boyfriend Raoul (played by Dougie Carter in the Dubai play) appears.
“It’s a very powerful story. It’s a love triangle and there’s always a winner. There’s an element of the recluse, the person who doesn’t fit into society, and of course everyone can relate to that at some point in their lives,” says Christine. Harriet Jones, the British actress who plays the role, told Arab News.
“Christine’s story is really a coming-of-age story and I first played her 10 years ago, so it’s a perfect fit for me to work on this show. Nadim and I have known each other for 10 years. We worked together on this show. It has grown into.”
Naaman, who previously played Raoul, says the Phantom is unlike any other character he’s played before.
Naaman says the Phantom is unlike any character he’s played before. (Included)
“I always felt very close to Raul. Phantom is the exact opposite of that. When you’re preparing to play a role, you look in the mirror and realize that there’s a person who doesn’t look like you at all, who doesn’t act like you at all. It’s a really inspiring and very liberating experience to watch people do that. There are motives that come out of your mouth that you really have to discover. It’s not easy. It’s hard work, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Another difficult task is to wear a facial prosthesis (burn scars) and a wig covered by a mask for each performance. The fitting takes her more than an hour, but it helps her get used to the role of Naaman.
Dubai Opera has about 20 shows scheduled, and for Naaman and Jones, singing in front of an audience every night remains a thrill.
“When I’m standing backstage listening to the overture that’s so loud and heart-piercing, that’s almost the beginning moment for me. It’s an incredible feeling,” Jones said.
Why was this musical a hit with millions of people? Naaman attributes the story’s universality to its popularity to this day and finding its way to new audiences in the Middle East. I believe that.
“This show has been running for 40 years, but there’s a new generation of audience members experiencing it for the first time,” he said.
“The key themes of love, unrequited love, and wanting to fit in and be accepted are relevant to all cultures, all ages, and backgrounds. The key elements are just what keeps people interested until the end.”
