about
I'm a theatre director and writer. I recently directed a reading of Chronicles of a City We Never Knew by Wael Qadour, at the Gate Theatre. I was also associate director to Alexander Zeldin on both of his recent plays for the National Theatre (Faith, Hope and Charity and Love).
I was born in Iraq, I grew up in Birmingham and am now based in London. My first play as director was a modern dress bilingual Arabic-English Othello, which sold out a 3 week run at Barons Court Theatre. I have since then directed new plays by Hassan Abdulrazzak, Martin Crimp, Fiona Doyle, Afsaneh Grey, Hannah Khalil and Silva Semerciyan.
Assistant and associate credits include The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth, Evening at the Talkhouse by Wallace Shawn, Fireworks by Dalia Taha, Wolf From the Door by Rory Mullarkey and My Name Is by Sudha Bhuchar
I am a trustee on the board of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, as artistic advisor. I am an associate artist at Manara Theatre co. I had my first poem published at the age of 15, and have since then been published in various anthologies.
You can contact me on
selected work
"It's that rarest of things: a genuinely emotionally engaging dilemma play that blossoms into a funny, fully hearted exploration of cultural relativism, moral absolutes and the plurality of womanhood" (The Stage on Gather Ye Rosebuds)
GATHER YE ROSEBUDS
By Silva Semerciyan
Theatre503 / Nightingale Theatre Brighton
WINNER Best New Play Brighton Fringe Festival
Design Pilar Sierra
Photograph Miriam Resino
"It was without doubt one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare I have seen and if children in school or adults cannot see why Shakespeare is our greatest playwright then they should see this production to set the record straight" (Design My Night on Twelfth Night)
TWELFTH NIGHT
Cockpit Theatre
Design Pilar Sierra and Clement De Dadelsen
Photograph Miriam Resino
OTHELLO
Barons Court Theatre
Design Pilar Sierra
Photograph Simon Annand
"There is a moment in this robust and impressive debut production when Emilia (Jennifer Shakesby) delivers a speech on male-female relationships... It bubbles with the possibilities of back story; we feel that an entire second play has gone on before.....Diyan Zora—in her impressive directorial debut—sets a steady course for Shakespeare’s tragedy and utilizes atmosphere and a strong cast to chilling effect." (Play Shakespeare on Othello)
selected associate / staff directing
Love / National Theatre
Dir. Alexander ZeldinDesign. Natasha Jenkins
The Ferryman / Gielgud Theatre
by Jez ButterworthDir. Sam Mendes
Design. Rob Howell
Evening at the Talkhouse / National
By Wallace ShawnDir. Ian Rickson
Design. Quay brothers
Wolf From The Door / Royal Court
By Rory MullarkeyDir. James Mcdonald
Design. Tom Pye
Fireworks / Royal Court
By Dalia TahaDir. Richard Twyman
Design. Lizzie Clachlan
CV
As Director
Tom Fool by Franz Xaver Kroetz (R&D), 2019
Ms Y by Fiona Doyle, Young Vic Theatre, 2016
Octopus By Afsaneh Gray, Camden People’s Theatre, 2015
Waiting for Summer, Unity Theatre Liverpool, with writing from Martin Crimp, Hassan Abdulrazzak and Hannah Khalil, 2014
Gather Ye Rosebuds by Silva Semerciyan Theatre503, Nightingale Theatre, Brighton Fringe Festival, 2013 (WINNER BEST NEW PLAY)
As Associate
Faith, Hope and Charity, National Theatre, Dir. Alexander Zeldin, 2019
Love, National Theatre European Tour, Dir. Alexander Zeldin, 2018
The Ferryman, London Gielgud Theatre, Dir. Sam Mendes, 2018
As Assistant / Staff Director
Love, National Theatre and Birmingham Rep, Dir. Alexander Zeldin, 2016/2017
Evening at the Talkhouse, National Theatre, Dir. Ian Rickson, 2015 / 2016
Fireworks, Royal Court, Dir. Richard Twyman, 2015
The Wolf From the Door, Royal Court, Dir. James Macdonald, 2014
Television
Taxi Tales, Tamasha and BBC, Dir Ben Anthony, 2018 (as drama coach)
Why it’s Kicking Off Everywhere, Young Vic Theatre and BBC, Dir. David Lan, 2017 (as assistant
director)
Work with Young People / Community
I have run workshops with community members at the Young Vic, Royal Court, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Tamasha and Arcola Theatres. I have experience working with young people, and refugees and asylum seekers.
Other
Script Reader for Theatre503, Vicky Graham Productions,
Bruntwood Prize and Royal Court
Young Vic Directors Programme Springboard week workshops with various directors
Masters in Human Rights, SOAS, Distinction
Ba Hons Law with English literature, University of Nottingham, 2,1