Pickled ﻛﺑﯾس" A rich, multicultural tragicomedy

 In the confines of their childhood family home, Sammy (Najée Tannous) and Youssif (Antony Makhlouf), two gay Lebanese-Australian brothers, grapple with loss and long-repressed fraternal tensions.

The presence of their formidable mother lingers in the family kitchen after her passing, casting a shadow over their lives.

Sammy, who faithfully tended to their mother, now resents Youssif for fleeing to Canberra for work, leaving him to bear the weight of family responsibilities alone. This estrangement lies at the heart of ‘Pickled ‘ﻛﺑﯾس, as it explores the anger, sadness and longing that have driven a wedge between the brothers.

 ‘Pickled ‘ﻛﺑﯾس is also a potent commentary on our country’s unique multicultural experience. The clash between conservative Lebanese values and liberal Australian culture resonates deeply in the play. This tension is played out in the brothers’ distinct struggles with their sexuality, impacted by cultural shame passed down through generations.

The brothers’ final inheritance from their late mother—a jar of pickles—symbolizes unexpressed love and reconciliation. Rooted in Lebanese culinary traditions, the jar becomes the catalyst for the beleaguered siblings to face traumas of the past and together, embark on a journey of healing.

‘Pickled ‘ﻛﺑﯾس” skilfully balances tragedy with moments of genuine humour, ensuring it remains engaging without becoming heavy. The authentic rapport between Najee Tannous and Antony Makhlouf, as the beleaguered siblings frantically preparing their mother’s wake, imbues their strong performances with further depth. The play’s structure, honed through its previously well-received staging as a work in progress, is sharp and consistently thought provoking.

‘Pickled ‘ﻛﺑﯾس is a standout dramedy that delivers an intimate and incisive look at the bonds of family, culture, and sexual identity.'

This must-see production guaranteed to win audiences over as it did on its opening night at Sydney’s Belvoir Street Theatre. Four stars out of five

‘Pickled ‘ﻛﺑﯾس - by Najée Tannous, Antony Makhlouf, Hayden Tonnazi, May Yousif and Francesco Pelli is showing now 20 August – 8 September 2024 at the Belvoir Street Theatre, Surry Hills, Sydney.