The Last Princess of Lebanon tells the story of my great grandmother, a Lebanese princess, turned migrant, turned successful business woman.

It follows her journey from the palaces of Beiteddine to the humble Queenslander in the small town of Dalby during the 1930s where she eventually opened her own successful fashion store. Sheathed inside a fun fairytale facade, the story reveals the darker realities of life as a princess during a time where women fought for freedom and autonomy and over their bodies. It also sheds light on Australia’s sinister history of assimilation while recognising how far the country has come.

Interwoven into the play is the story of the ‘modern day princess’ - my own coming of age journey as I search for my great grandmother in the pieces she left behind and uncover what's left of her within me. Stored in my body is her pain, her triumph, her hope. Nadia, the name we share, means ‘delicate hope’ underpinning the message of the piece. This project is driven by a desire to honour her legacy, explore themes of identity and belonging, and foster understanding within our community.