YUSUF Islam

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Saturday 17th October

Moonshadow Actors

After a long search, the producers of Moonshadow have discovered a talented and dynamic cast to play the tour version of Yusuf’s musical, which will be premiered during his forthcoming concerts.

Two bright child actors have been selected to play the parts of the young lead, Stormy, and his childhood school friend, Anees. Connor Panayi and Lauren Ellington were excited to learn they had won roles in this inspiring new musical venture.

Connor has played lead in various television shows including Tonk in ‘Space Pirates’ (CBeebies), ‘Holby City’ as Noah Taylor (BBC), Boris in Disney’s ‘Life Bites’, Josh Winters in ‘Doctors’ (BBC) and was most recently in ‘The Legend of Dick & Dom’ as Little Dom. He has also created the roles of ‘Young Sidney’ in the musical ‘Little Tramp’ (MMP) and played the role of Leo Coulston in the Perfect Pitch production of ‘The Go Between’.

Lauren was previously in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Carousel, at the Savoy Theatre. She sang on the track ‘Somewhere’ on the Rhydian album and performed it on GMTV. She has also been a backing vocalist and dancer on The X Factor. Most recently, she has filmed an educational DVD called ‘The Explorers’.

Yusuf will be weaving excerpts from Moonshadow into his upcoming not-to-be-missed ‘Guess I’ll Take My Time’ tour which opens in Dublin on 15 November before moving on to Birmingham, Liverpool and London.
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Comments
1. Congratulations Connor and Lauren on such an amazing opportunity. Whilst I sit here listening to 'Wild World', I dream of the day that the Moonshadow musical will come to Sydney, Australia. So exciting.
  05 Nov 2009 Vanessa Report Comment
2. A warm welcome to Connor and Lauren. Weâ€™ve had Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria, and now, Stormy and Anees. In the midst of barking dogs, packs of lies, and kids banging on tin cans - the peace, trust, and pure love of childhood friends, all under the light of the Divine. This is so beautiful, and since Yusuf believes in happy endings, I think Moonshadow will have a very happy ending as well. God-willing, everyoune will truly love this musical.
  29 Oct 2009 Sunny Report Comment
3. Hi all How can I contact Yusef Islam? thank you very much
  25 Oct 2009 Soumaia Hamudi Report Comment
4. I, too, am waiting for Yusuf to tour in the U.S. I saw him in L.A. and believe the states are anxiously awaiting his arrival. If the musical came here, I would most certainly be there (as would many of my fellow Majicatters)! Don't forget about us, we love you too! (and think about coming to JazzFest in the Spring)! Your biggest fan in Louisiana! Richina and Ashley
  24 Oct 2009 Richina T. Ardoin Report Comment
5. To Regina, Cynthia and Jane - I have asked the webmaster to create new threads for the concert memories. He has agreed to do this closer to the concert. First time I will be writing down set list in my life. When I return to the US - I will be up here - sharing with all of you. Maybe we'll all get together in London - for that Moonshadow - we are all being followed by one you know. Webmaster - thank you! As always....
  23 Oct 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
6. On the subject of musicals, I had an unexpected trip to see Joseph and the technicolour dreamcoat, as my daughter got some "special offer" tickets on her work website. I know it differs from the story in the Qur'an, but the lead character did remind me of someone.....whose name is spelt slightly differently.
  22 Oct 2009 Cynthia Report Comment
7. To Mr. Webmaster - here I am again....just what you don't need. Is it possible - that a new thread could be started relative to fan reviews of the forthcoming concert series. I have friends here who have requested I write about it - I will be returning to the US - on November 16th. It would be an interesting and exciting thread - and give us a chance to share our experiences. Thank you. MG
  
  Webmaster's Reply: There will likely be separate news updates for the shows closer to each date. You will be able to post your comments under those stories.
  22 Oct 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
8. To Webmaster - Thank you for taking the time to respond to Erin's comments. I tried - but you do better than I. That is why you are the webmaster! To all that wrote - let's wish much success and that Yusuf recognizes his dream of writing for theater - since he had wished for since he was 16. I'll write about Dublin - I know I am going to cry there... Peace to all my friends - and my new ones that I haven't met yet...
  22 Oct 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
9. Im looking forward to the Royal Albert hall Jane and pitty i wont met you Margeret but yes how Yusu has brought together is so great and we need to tell it to all the ones who have there doubts. Only by staying good friends and showing this to others will help to change minds one step at a time.It's all over in his work just like now in the Moonshadow musical .Where the heart is full of you can hear from the mouth.Regine
  21 Oct 2009 Regine Masson Report Comment
10. I wish all the best for the production and I am hopeful the musical will reach my shore, Singapore, one fine day. (I'm already sad I couldn't get to watch the â€˜Guess Iâ€™ll Take My Timeâ€™ tour :() Good luck!
  20 Oct 2009 Fika Report Comment
11. Great to hear that comment, Jane. Peace Erin, and if you support someone in the spiritual sense, surely that's the deepest thing anyone can do. I'm looking forward to seeing the tour in Liverpool. Hope Margaret will leave a message here after she's seen the tour in Dublin, and let us know which songs Yusuf sings! (Some of us just can't wait, you see!) Erin could also check out Yusufs (aka Cat Stevens) Wikipedia, and there are quite a lot of good comments on utube (the ones with ticks on the right side usually) Lots of Peace and Lovexx
  20 Oct 2009 Cynthia Report Comment
12. I am unsure how any true fan of Yusuf, the man once known as Cat Stevens, could ever believe he is anything other than a man of peace. His music has touched my soul from the minute I first heard it and almost 40 years later, it still speaks to me. I traveled from the midwest US to see him in London in May and I am happily, gleefully, and joyfully doing so again in December. And when "Moonshadow" opens? Well, I plan to meet my friends in London yet again for that momentous occasion.
  20 Oct 2009 Jane Report Comment
13. Just listen to this, Erin!! http://www.myspace.com/raymonddavidson and all his latest interviews
  19 Oct 2009 Gabi M. (G-One) Report Comment
14. Note to Regine - One Step at a Time - everything will be okay - your friend - Marge - from Facebook.... :-) Each day - more people are coming together because of Yusuf and his music - each day I make a new friend - and this is the road to peace...
  18 Oct 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
15. Often times, if a theatrical release is "excellent" - it will eventually move to Broadway - permanently. Andrew Lloyd Weber is an example of this. So if Moonshadow - is in fact a success - which I hope it is - as it is Yusuf's dream since a child - hopefully within a year - it will light up NYC's Broadway - and we'll all have a chance to see it. To see these children - makes me smile. And in a note to Garrity above - Yusuf coming back to us - is pulling people together from all over the world. Different borders, religions, politics - it is a step at a time - and a person at a time. And it is working - slowly but surely. Enjoy his music - people don't change - and he is just what we need right now! You should see all my new friends on Facebook from this - and I am delighted!
  18 Oct 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
16. Erin girl just trust Yusuf please he let us see the real Islam that has nothing to do with terrorism are giving money to support that .If you look in the FAQ you will find out Yusuf's aswer to that question .Never forget he is a man of Peace. And seeing this young artists in the Royal Albert hall with snippets of Moonshadow how wonderfull that will be ,i'm so cureous.Regine
  18 Oct 2009 Regine Masson Report Comment
17. I was an avid fan, singing Cat Steven's lyrics while my friend played the guitar, oh those late 60's. And yes, 'Moonshadow', at the vulnerable age of 15, touched me down to my soul, things here in the US were so volatile. Then I heard the changes coming, first Christian, then Islam. When I heard the US wouldn't let Yusuf in because of ties through his mosque, I was dis-heartened, horriefied, aterall, I live in Philadelphia, just a 100 miles from the Trade Towers, my cousin, and artist, has a studio, and thank the Lord, still does, withing blocks of the Trade Towers. I respect all relegions, but the week they wouldn't let Yusuf in the country, I threw out my greatest hits CD for my car. I just don't know who to believe anymore, even though I myself am a visual artist. I still love the old music, and truth be told, I will not part with my 33 rpms, but let Yusuf carry on his message without my financial support, although he has my spiritual support. I in my deepest of hearts, feel that what has been done to the true followers of Islam, through this alleged, or real 'Holy War', is an unfair and only divinely bidden burden to carry.
  
  Webmaster's Reply: Please note that the content of your post is unrelated to the news update upon which you have commented. For your information, Yusuf vehemently condemns the mindless acts of violence perpetrated by a small minority of extremists in the name of the Islamic faith. He has in fact written about this personally and his thoughts can be found in the "Chinese Whiskers" section of this website. You should also be aware that since the episode in 2004, Yusuf has visited the USA on a number of occasions and continues to do so without hindrance.
  18 Oct 2009 Erin P. Garrity Report Comment
18. No doubt much time and thought were put into selecting the actors for Yusuf's musical. I'm only sorry that there are no US dates for the musical. I would love to see the performance live. Perhaps at some point Yusuf will honor our nation with his presence and performance. Bests to all the Irish and Brits who are fortunate enough to see the performances. May peace rein over the endeavor.
  18 Oct 2009 Kevin Rathert Report Comment
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