How Beyonce inspired Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas to tell their own story of Beirut

America's Got Talent winners are preparing to perform first public show in Lebanon

Mayyas performing with Beyonce at the opening of Atlantis The Royal in Dubai. Getty Images

Lebanon is the inspiration behind a new show by celebrated dance troupe Mayyas.

After wowing a global audience by winning season 17 of America's Got Talent and sharing a stage with pop star Beyonce at the launch of Royal Atlantis Dubai last year, the Beirut company will showcase that talent and technique in what is billed as their first major production at home.

Premiering on August 1 at Beirut Waterfront, Qumi will be Mayyas's most extravagant production, according to founder and choreographer Nadim Cherfan.

“It will be a full-blown show with over 70 dancers and it is really a story about Beirut, or at least the way we see it,” he tells The National. “The story does take some fantastical turns but when it comes to our discussion of Beirut and Lebanon as a whole it is grounded in reality. Qumi poses questions like what are the characteristics of the city and what are the Lebanese people made of.”

Don’t expect a totally celebratory piece, Cherfan notes, as the show also takes its cues from Lebanon’s current political and economic malaise.

“It will be Mayyas’s most dramatic performance because it does reflect the state that we are in here in Lebanon right now,” he says. “Yes, there is joy here but there are also daily struggles. For all of us who live in Lebanon, life seems like a daily fight and that there are new and never-ending challenges we all have to go through.”

Mayyas reacts to winning America's Got Talent in 2022. Getty Images

The environment also bred a steely resilience. Mayyas emerged in 2019 when they became the first act from Lebanon to win Arabs Got Talent.

Amid the economic decline gripping Lebanon, a situation described as one of the world’s worst economic crises by the World Bank, the group kept their dance studio afloat and were soon invited to participate in America's Got Talent, where they won the $1 million prize.

More than the vital cash injection, the victory elicited mass celebrations in Lebanon with millions tuning into the finals amid regular power cut.

“It was so meaningful for all of us to win, considering the situation in Lebanon. And while we are grateful for all the love and support it still feels, to me at least, that it’s not yet time to fully celebrate,” Cherfan says. “My mindset has always been ‘well, what’s next’. If I climb a mountain, I feel I have to get ready for the next one.”

That said, Cherfan views Mayyas’s Dubai collaboration with Beyonce as the summit of his career achievements, with the group delivering an assured performance accompanying Beyonce’s hour-long set for the grand reveal of Atlantis The Royal.

Mayyas founder and choreographer Nadim Cherfan with members of Mayyas in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP

They appeared on stage several times during the show and shrouded Beyonce with snaky choreography in Beautiful Liar, while standing proudly behind the star during Bigger, a song from the 2019 live remake of Disney’s The Lion King.

“That whole experience was a dream for me as Beyonce has been my muse since I was 11 years old,” Cherfan says.

“When you are working with her it is so inspiring because it’s not so much about how she cares for her dancers and encourages them, it’s really the way she carries herself. She is so professional and a true leader. I didn’t need to get any particular advice from her on how Mayyas can succeed. Just seeing her work is the greatest lesson we could have learnt.”

One of the lessons learnt was how to win over a crowd through sheer force of will.

Despite Mayyas being viewed as heroes at home, Cherfan is under no illusion of the reception Qumi will elicit if the dancers are not prepared. “There is a lot of expectation and the Lebanese people can be a tough crowd to please,” he says. “But it feels good to tell this story at home. It’s also a responsibility which we welcome.”

Qumi by Mayyas is on at Beirut Waterfront, Lebanon on August 1. Tickets start at $50 and are available at ihjoz.com