Tarek has recently received a prestigious commission from Youth Music Theatre UK to create and stage a new music-theatre adaptation of the novel Ali and Nino. Set in Baku, a melting pot of culture and music where East meets West, this sweeping love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl, will draw on the sounds of Persian Mugham music and Georgian vocal polyphony in re-telling this epic tale of love without borders. Youth Music Theatre UK are supporting the composition period throughout the summer, which it is hoped will include input from London-based specialists in the music of the Caucasus and a research trip to Baku. The piece will be workshopped from 10th-24th August at South Hill Park Theatre and is directed by Joe Douglas, whose work includes regular collaborations with National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep. For more details please visit the YMT website at www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/shows/ali-and-nino