LAILA DIALLO

Laïla is a Canadian-born dance maker based in Bristol, UK.

Alongside devising and producing work for live performance, Laïla often contributes movement direction/choreography for theatre and opera. She also frequently works with students in university and vocational contexts. 

Recent works and current research are inspired by and explore our perception of the passing of time, how we negotiate togetherness, and the transience of things.

Recent (and not so recent) commissions include: Like Moth to Light, with artist Helen Carnac, commissioned by Make Hauser and Wirth Somerset; 1:1, a short film commissioned by MAYK for WOW Festival Istanbul (2021); All my Song, for Royal Ballet/Joyce Theatre (UK/USA, 2019); Husk for Candoco Dance Company (UK, 2018) a site-responsive work for Kettle’s Yard galley’s ACTIONS exhibition (2018); Something about wilderness and several attempts at taming beauty, Skanes Dansteater (Sweden, 2017).

Laïla co-leads GATHER UP, an artist-led initiative that exists to support the continuing development of professional dancers in Bristol and the region.

The recipient of a Rayne Fellowship for Choreographers in 2006, she also was Associate Artist at ROH2, Royal Opera House, between 2009 and 2012, and recipient of a 2018 Leverhulme Art Scholarship through Bristol Old Vic Ferment.

 '... [The work] resonates with a sense of presence and immediacy, of being in the here and now and experiencing something sublime but also connected to history, the past and how we can rethink our relationship to the world.' Alex Wren, Buzz Magazine, on In This Moment

‘I always tell people how I came to dance quite by accident, following a friend into it. My mum would tell a different story though. She recently said to me how she felt that a dance career was written in the stars for me. Funny. It didn’t feel like that when 11-year-old me, purple-lycra-clad from head to toe, followed a friend to ballet jazz lessons. I only went because Maude was going. That was 38 years ago. And I’m still dancing. Written in the stars or not. Thank you Maude! I am dancing, still, because I continue to be moved - in all sorts of ways - in the doing of it, and in the sharing and witnessing of it.’ Laila

WORKS

Like a Moth to Light (2023) with artist Helen Carnac, site responsive work commissioned by Hauser and Wirth Somerset.

1:1 (2021) Short film, MAYK commission for Women of The World Festival Istanbul

All my song (2019) Royal Ballet New York Programme, solo for Principal Sarah Lamb

Feathers (2019) National Youth Arts Wales commission

Husk (2018) Candoco Dance Company commission

Everyday Every Day (2018) London School of Fashion commission 

Owl Light (2017) map dance commission, University of Chichester 

SOMETHING ABOUT WILDERNESS and several attempts at taming beauty (2017)  Skanes Dansteater commission,  co-created with Mélanie Demers

Near the place where your feet pass by (2017) for Nafisah Baba (Winner) BBC Young Dancer Finale

In This Moment (2017) solo for Diallo

Countless Yellow Chairs (2016) devised and performed with composer Jules Maxwell

Edge and Shore (2015) with visual artist Helen Carnac, commissioned by Siobhan Davies Dance Company

Way Piece (2014) short film and site-specific live work commissioned by choreographer Alex Howard

Hold Everything Dear (2012) ROH2 commission for a cast of nine dancers and musicians

At-any-moment-something-else (2010) solo for Theo Clinkard

Imprint (2009) solo for Diallo

Come rain or come shine (2009) Verve commission, Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Sense of Self (Sauver sa peau) (2008) created and performed with Mélanie Demers

On the feeling of being together (2007) map dance commission, University of Chichester

The Wayside (2007) solo for Diallo

Between the Shingle and the Dune (2005) duet for Theo Clinkard and Diallo

waiting fleeing (2005) solo for Diallo

Out of sight in the direction of my body (2004) solo for Diallo

MOVEMENT DIRECTION AND CHOREOGRAPHY FOR THEATRE, OPERA AND TELEVISION

Arch (Kaleider, 2024)

Igloo (Travelling Light, revival, 2024)

Oliver Twist (Tobacco Factory Theatres, 2023)

The Pearl Fishers (Opera North, 2023)

Emilia (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 2023)

Nutcracker (Bristol Old Vic, 2022)

ABBA Voyage (live band movement direction, 2022)

Wonder Boy (Bristol Old Vic, 2022)

Rigoletto (Opera North, 2022)

Three Seagulls (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 2021)

Aïda (Canadian Opera Company, 2019, revival)

Un Ballo in Maschera (Opera North, 2018)

Capriccio (Garsington, 2018)

Undersong (Mayfest, 2018)

Bite Sized (2014)

The Little Mermaid (Bristol Old Vic, 2013) 

The Dance of Death (Donmar, 2012)

Otello (Opera North, 2012)

The Story of Music (BBC2, 2012)

‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (West Yorkshire Playhouse, 2011)

Aïda (Canadian Opera Company, 2010)

The Road to Mecca (Arcola, 2010)

The Prince of Homburg (Donmar, 2010)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rose Theatre, 2010)

All’s Well that Ends Well (National Theatre, 2009)

War and Peace (Canadian Opera Company, 2008)

A Doll’s House (Theatre Royal Bath, 2008)

The Vortex (Bill Kenwright Productions, UK Tour and West End, 2008)

Days of Significance (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2006 and 2007)

Thérèse Raquin (National Theatre, 2006)

How Music Works (Howard Goodall’s series on music, Channel 4, 2006)

Macbeth (Scottish Opera Go Round, 2005)

Hansel and Gretel (Scottish Opera On Tour, 2004)

ASSISTANCE TO CHOREOGRAPHER/ REHEARSAL DIRECTION

Sweet Charity (Donmar, London, 2018)

L’ Anatomie de la Sensation (Opéra de Paris, 2011 and restaging 2015)

Rheingold (La Scala, Milan, 2010)

Kirikou and Karaba Musical (Revival Director, Paris, 2009)

Dido and Aeneas/Acis and Galatea (Royal Opera House, London, 2009)

Kirikou & Karaba Musical (France, 2007)

Dido & Aeneas (La Scala, Milan, 2006)

Midsummer Marriage (Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2005)

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (Warner Brothers Productions Ltd, 2004)

Aladdin (Old Vic, London, 2004 & 2005)

The Skinned Prey (National Youth Dance Company, 2002)

Cleansed (Royal Court, London, 1998)

OTHER PERFORMANCE/PUBLIC TALKS

TEDx Youth Bath (2011)

Bad History (2006) Mark Bruce’s Place Prize piece

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance (1998 - 2005) Created roles for The Millenarium, Sulphur 16, Aeon, Brainstate, (Random and the Royal Ballet), Phasespace, (Random and Göteborg Ballet), Nemesis, Polar Sequences and Ataxia.  

The Source (2005) Film by Roxana Freeman, South West Screen Commission

Dice Life (2003) Film by Nick Mead, choreography Wayne McGregor, Channel 4

Chrysalis, (2002) Choreography Wayne McGregor, Heure d’Été Productions

Nemesis (2002) BBC4 Film, Arts Knowledge, Choreography Wayne McGregor