George Abiad is the pioneer of serious drama in Egypt, a landmark in the history of Egyptian theatre. During his rich drama career, he played memorable theatrical roles in both Arabic and French, including Oedipus, Louis, Othello, Father Le Pionard, Saladin, Heliopolis, Heart of a Woman and Al Hakim Bi Amr Allah.

George Abiad was born in Beirut, Lebanon on May 5,1880.

He pursued his education until he obtained his high school diploma (Baccalaureate).

He was so fond of acting that he played a key part in a French language-play. The French actor Jean Fraig, who had once performed the same part on Paris Theatre admired Abiad's performance after attending the show and found him a promising actor.

Abiad left Beirut for his favorite city Alexandria. He made his first contact with the Egyptian theatre. He used to make frequent visits to Sheikh Salama Hegazi's Theatre which he wished to join.

On July 29,1904, George Abiad travelled to France to join the Conservatoire. In Paris, he met Sarah Bernard, the famous French actress, and became a habitual visitor of her "Salon". He also met Ya'qoob Sannou, the founder of the Egyptian theatre and press, who was deported from Egypt.

On May 10, 1910, Abiad returned to Egypt. Two days later, his French troupe presented "Horace" on the Khedive Opera House Theatre. Then, he presented "Charles VI", which was attended by a host of distinguished artists and state dignitaries, including nationalist leader Saad Zaghloul.

In 1911, Abiad was commissioned by the then Minister of Education Saad Zaghloul, to Arabize education in Egypt.

Abiad told Zaghloul that the best way was to start with the theatre. Accordingly, Abiad disbanded his troupe. For a whole year, Abiad was busily engaged in Arabizing plays previously performed in French.

He advertised in the press for the selection of the best talents for his troupe.

He encouraged intellecuals to dedicate their efforts to translation and creative writing. One of the first plays translated for his Arabic - language theatre was Oedipus the King . As soon as Abiad's Arabic language- troupe was formed, it premiered with " The Wounded of Beirut", a one-act poetic drama by Egypt's eminent poet Hafez Ibrahim commonly known as " The Poet of the Nile". This was followed by several other Arabic - language plays. Abiad's Arabic language plays brought about a dramatic revolution.

• The cast of Abiad's troupe included Egypt's top stars, such as Naguib al- Reehani, Muhammad Abdel Qoddous, Bishara Wakeem, Hussein Riyad, Abbas Fares, Sayyed Darweesh and Dawlat Abiad.

• In 1914, both George Abiad's and Salama Hegazi's troupes merged into one called the Abiad / Hegazi Troupe. Its premiere was "Saladdin". For the first time, day performances (matine) were introduced.

• George Abiad introduced Om Kolthoum, who later became Egypt's top singer, to perform during the intervals. A drama institute was founded with Zaki Tulaimat as dean and George Abiad as professor of acting.