LAYLA ROSA

'What If...'

My eyes never see what your eyes see

An evolving work of performance and installation by artist, theatre maker and SHUNT director Layla Rosa.

What if…? is a search for identity, above, behind and beyond the veil. 

Aerial movement, moving image and physical feats collide with audio, video and vocals to create this distinctive theatrical performance and installation.

“…it comes from never being able to answer the frequently asked question where are you from? For me it’s a question unanswerable by one place – if I answer ‘Suffolk’ that doesn’t explain my appearance.  It’s insufficient for the interviewer and so develops into ‘What are your roots?’ – If I answer Saudi Arabia or Ireland I’m asked many cultural questions about the place, the language and the people – these things are unknown to me and I cannot answer.”

What if…? is bourne out of a personal cultural journey into Layla's lost heritage; what would her life had been like if she had known her father and been a woman of Islam?

The first stage of this process was developed over a year long period through collaboration with Muslim women's groups, Muslim employees, and artists based at Oxford House in Bethnal Green, East London, initiated by its artistic director Pippa Bailey.

From this research has evolved an emotive, semi-autobiographical performance that is both a personal and universal investigation devoid of political judgement.

Performances at SHUNT VAULTS in October 2008

SHUNT VAULTS, Joiner St, London Bridge, SE1

Friday 10th October 8pm

Presenters p lease contact Pam or Jo for booking information and comp tickets on 020 7650 7954. 

More dates and ticket information to follow soon...