Son of Byblos by James Elazzi
SHORTLISTED FOR THE NICK ENRIGHT PLAYWRIGHTING PRIZE
Son of Byblos has been shortlisted for the 2023 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, with the Judges’ Comments including remarks that ‘The bare bones of this story might be familiar, but through writing in a Lebanese-Australian cultural context Elazzi has shaped a drama underrepresented on Australian stages and one that is rich in surprise and suspense. His five characters inhabit detailed worlds, from the story-laden dining table of an inner-city family to the anonymous sex of public urinals.’
In this cross-cultural comic drama, James Elazzi examines the forbidden territory of queer sexuality in a Lebanese-Australian family. Son of Byblos gives an inside view into the challenges of being a minority within a minority.
SYNOPSIS
Adam has everything under control. Casual sex when he wants it. His traditional Lebanese parents wrapped around his little finger. His cousin Claire, the only person he can be his true self with, always by his side. As each day passes, he knows what to expect. Until one day, Claire returns from Lebanon engaged to a man she barely knows, a man who doesn’t even speak the same language as her. With this one decision, their truce is shaken. Sex isn’t getting him off, his parents have started asking questions he doesn’t have answers too and Adam begins to lose his grip.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Son of Byblos by James Elazzi was first produced at Belvoir St Theatre S5A on May 4, 2022 to May 21, 2022.
ISBN: 978 1 922424 70 9
Lady Tabouli / Queen Fatima
by James Elazzi is a hardcopy collection of two NSW Premier’s Literary Award Shortlisted plays.
LADY TABOULI
It’s the day of his nephew’s baptism and Danny is godfather. Living back home with his religious Lebanese mother, he’s thrown into the maelstrom of preparations and high emotions: God forbid this christening comes second to the Boustanis’!
The family can’t afford to lose face, especially with Danny recently and mysteriously calling off his engagement. But secrets will out, and amidst the sugared almonds and balloon deliveries, Danny discovers the true colours of those to whom he’s closest. Where do you turn when the people you love refuse to accept the truth?
QUEEN FATIMA
Fast approaching 31, Fatima is feeling the pressure from her bakery owning family to get married and have children. Her boyfriend, Karim, wants their relationship to remain secret. His high-flying, lawyer parents definitely wouldn’t approve of the match.
In an effort to prove to Karim and his family she is worthy of his love, Fatima come202s up with a plan to win Queen Lebanon Australia. Moonia, the pageant organiser, accepts Fatima because this year she wants a ‘diverse group of girls’ and Fatima is unlike anything the competition has seen before. With the help of her 74 year-old best friend Gada and her coffee cup readings, Fatima goes through a transformation that not even she expected.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
Queen Fatima was first produced by the 2021 Sydney Festival and the National Theatre of Parramatta, at the Riverside Theatre from 1-16 January 2021.
Lady Tabouli was first produced by Griffin Theatre Company on 1-4 May, 2019.
ISBN:
978-1-922424-99-0