Son of Byblos is an engaging family drama that explores the clash between cultural expectations and personal freedom within a Lebanese-Australian household. Adam (Amir Yacoub) is a 25-year-old gay man whose life is thrown a curveball when his closeted lesbian cousin announces she is marrying a man. This unexpected news forces Adam to confront who he is and what he wants from life. But in a tightly connected family where tradition runs deep, Adam’s journey of self-discovery is far from easy.
Anna Kaleeda Rasheed displays great energy as Claire, and her rapport with Yacoub is very impressive. Together, they convey a believable history, and the way they relate to one another shows an openness and trust they seldom share with to anyone else. Marjan Mesbahi is wonderful as Carol, Adam’s mother, notably in the release and joy she is exposed to from her tango lessons. Amir Rahimzadeh brings depth to John, the father, portraying him with a quiet authority that balances the family dynamics and adds weight to the emotional tension.
However, his monologues to the audience at certain periods, shrouded in red light, required more layering. Here, Director Danny R Arif might have benefited from exercising further subtlety and sensitivity in the way these interludes were handled, as having Adam express these thoughts and encounters through shouting and over-the-top aggression didn’t quite work. The sound design by Xaz during these instances was particularly effective in taking us into Danny’s mind.
One captivating moment comes when the five characters sit down to dinner, their interactions sparking with vibrancy and humour. The ensuing drama, comedy, misunderstandings, revelations, and arguments drive the narrative forward while giving the audience a reprieve from the heavier themes.
James Elazzi’s story paints a picture of a lively and loving Lebanese family, but I wish it had delved into Claire’s reasoning for wanting to marry a man - a man from Lebanon who spoke no English. Was that really what was essential for her to gain freedom, especially after spending the past few years in a same-sex relationship? A deeper understanding of exactly what freedom this marriage allowed her would have been helpful, because she is obviously unhappy as the wedding day looms. As it stands, we’re left uncertain about the rationale behind her choice.
Similarly, the central conflict between Adam and his father is framed around Adam’s website building aspirations. While it eventually becomes clear that John’s fixation on them is tied to Adam’s sexuality, the on-stage friction continues to focus on the websites themselves. We see many confrontations and conversations regarding his job prospects, but Adam never directly speaks to his family about his sexuality. It’s not that he must, but following him through the play, it feels like a missed opportunity to hone in on Adam navigating not just his own identity, but the legacy and beliefs of his family’s culture, and how deeply these are intertwined with his self-discovery.
Son of Byblos is a heartfelt and intimate exploration of identity, family, and cultural values. While some character motivations and stage details could be sharper, the performances bring genuine emotion and depth to the story. The play highlights the universal struggle of balancing freedom with familial and cultural ties, making it a moving and thought-provoking experience.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Meat Market, 2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne
Season: until 14 September | Thurs - Fri 7.30pm , Sat - Sun 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Duration: 100 minutes
Tickets: $38 Full | Conc $33
Bookings: Meat Market
Image credit: Magenta 35
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