Shortlisted for the 2023 NSW Premier’s Literary Award and the 2019 Silver Gull Play Award, Son of Byblos is a powerful and intimate family drama that unpacks the tension between tradition and individuality inside a Lebanese-Australian home.

Adam leads a meticulously controlled life: casual relationships on his terms, his traditional Lebanese parents under his influence, and his cousin Claire as his confidante. However, when Claire announces her engagement to a man from Lebanon, Adam's structured world begins to unravel. As familial expectations clash with personal desires, Adam is forced to confront truths he's long avoided, leading to a poignant exploration of cultural identity and personal freedom.

Critical Acclaim:
"Elazzi’s insistence on discussing the issue prevents us from looking away. Delusions about social advancement mean that people can be left behind, but a play like Son of Byblos reminds us that activism and advocacy should always be about those who are most disadvantaged." (Suzy Goes See)

"Elazzi must be tough. He is a rare artist in Australian theatre, prepared to take risks to write different stories that make us think and, more importantly, make us laugh." (The Theatre Times)

"From my first encounter with Elazzi’s writing, I have felt I was walking through a doorway into my growing years in working-class, migrant-rich, suburban Sydney." (Broadsheet)

James Elazzi on Son of Byblos:
"I don’t see myself on stage, so I’m going to write those characters." (Broadsheet)

Production History:
Presented by Brave New Word Theatre Company as part of Belvoir's 25A program, Son of Byblos premiered at Belvoir St Theatre in May 2022.(Sydney Arts Guide)

ISBN: 978-1-922424-70-9

Son of Byblos is a vital addition to contemporary Australian theatre, offering an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by those navigating the intersections of culture, family, and personal identity.