Programme Day 3B - 25 July

DANCE ON (Dorian Mallia) - T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - The End (Pablo Girolami) - PENDING (Douglas Comley) - NÁCAR (ŻfinMalta & Paloma Munoz) - DIVA (Giovanni Insaudo) - BIRDY (Lai Hung-Chung) - LIGHEA (Thomas Martino) - CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ARTIST (Dr Paula Guzzanti)

Dorian Mallia (Malta)

DANCE ON - STILL WE CONTINUE

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 12mins

Synopsis:

PENDING

Dorian Mallia - Choreographer

Dorian Mallia is a highly regarded dance practitioner, choreographer, educator, and performer, and the founder and Artistic Director of Moveo Dance Company. He trained at JCDC (Malta), Central School of Ballet in London, earning a degree in Professional Dance and Performance, and later completed a Master’s in Performing Studies (Dance) at the University of Malta. Dorian has performed internationally with companies including European Ballet (UK), RBR Dance Company (Italy), LaMov (Spain), Paganini Dance Company (Rome), and Mavinkhoodance (Singapore). Since establishing Moveo in 2008, he has led the company to national and international acclaim, with awards such as the Premju Għall-Arti “Artist of the Year” (2018) and the Best Creative Enterprise Award. He has local and international choreographic work that toured and still touring internationally. Alongside his creative work, he lectures at the University of Malta and MCAST and contributes to academic research, with writings featured in publications such as Breaking the Silence – Homosexuality in Maltese History. His career spans performance, choreography, and scholarship, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary dance.

Credits:

Choreography: Dorian Mallia | Dancers: PENDING | Music: PENDING

Supported by: 

Teatru Manoel and The University of Malta School of Performing Arts - Department of Dance Studies

Pablo Girolami (Italy)

T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - THE END

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

Disclaimer: 

This performance contains imagery that may trigger discomfort for some viewers, particularly individuals with trypophobia (a sensitivity or aversion to clustered patterns of holes or bumps). Viewer discretion is advised.

Synopsis:

The means by which a trypophobic skeleton is formed is geometry, which, however, only thanks to the imaginative contribution of the human mind, becomes an active gateway for fear; reflecting man's insecurities and paranoia. Bottomless, where all awareness falls steeply. Facing a fear is not an easy game. The risks are indeed real, but the outcome far worth it. It seems that playing the game rather implies accepting not to play at all. With T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A. we choose to accept the challenge, transforming ourselves into the parasites that creep into its galleries.

About the Company:

IVONA was founded in 2019 by Italo-Spanish choreographer Pablo Girolami. Born from a desire to express his vision and explore his creativity, the company takes its name from Girolami’s alter ego. IVONA’s first creation “Manbuhsa” initiated from the collaboration with the dancer Giacomo Todeschi. The duet was performed in various festivals in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey and Portugal. “Manbuhsa” won the Italian prize TWAIN Direzioni_Altre 2019, as well as the audience award in the festival CortoinDanza 2019 in Cagliari, and at the 33. Certamen Coreográfico de Madrid. In 2020, Pablo Girolami choreographed for IVONA “Manbuhsona”, full evening show for five performers, co- produced by CID - Rovereto, Festival Oriente Occidente and the Production Center TWAIN, and in 2021 he creates “T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A.” with which IVONA wins the prize for best choreography at the Certamen Coreográfico Distrito de Tetuán - Madrid and at the Choreographic competition Linkage - Sofia in addition to the audience award at the RIDCC - Rotterdam. With “Mose3” IVONA wins best dance film at the ZED International Videodanza Festival. Since 2022 IVONA is recognised and financially supported by MIC.

Pablo Girolami - Choreographer & Performer

Pablo Girolami trained at the Tanz Akademie Zürich, where he graduated in 2014. He danced with Hessisches Staatsballett and Spellbound Contemporary Ballet, performing works by renowned choreographers such as Wayne McGregor, Hofesh Shechter, and Marcos Morau. Currently, Pablo Girolami is a freelance choreographer and artistic director of IVONA, company the he founded in 2019 With IVONA, he has received several prestigious awards, including: First Prize at the Jerusalem International Choreography Competition; Best Choreography at the Certamen Coreográfico del Distrito de Tetuán; Best Choreography at the Linkage Choreographic Competition in Sofia; TWAIN Direzioni_Altre Award in 2019 and 2022 – Tuscania; Audience Award at RIDCC – Rotterdam; and the Audience Award at CortoinDanza Festival – Cagliari. Beyond his work with IVONA, Pablo has created choreographies for various companies and institutions, including the Graz Opera Ballet, Jerusalem Dance Theatre, Balletto di Roma, Club Guy & Roni, EgriBianco Danza, and Balletto di Toscana.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Company: Ivona | Choreography: Pablo Girolami | Dancers: Guilherme Leal & Pablo Girolami | Music: Jacob Kirkegaard, Philip Jeck, Max Richter | Production: House of Ivona | Lighting Design: Angelo Tauro | International Communication: Katherina Vasiliadis | Supported by KOMM TANZ Teatro Cartiera, Compagnia Abbondanza/Bertoni in collaboration with Comune di Rovereto, Festival Fuori programma & Romaeuropa Festival, ResiDanceXL - AnticorpiXL - Network Giovane Danza d'autore coordinated by L'arboreto - Teatro Dimora di Mondaino, Centro di Residenza della Toscana (Armunia - CapoTrave/Kilowatt), TWAIN Centro di Produzione Danza and PERIFERIE ARTISTICHE DANCEHAUSpiù, Milano, Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia, MIC (Ministero Italiano della Cultura), With the support of: Greek Ministry of Culture, The J.F. Costopoulos Foundation, Melina Merkouri Open Air Theatre, Big Story Productions.

Supported by:

Istituto Italiano Di Cultura La Valletta and Teatru Manoel

Douglas Comley (Wales)

PENDING

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 12mins

PHOTO PENDING

Synopsis:

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About the Company:

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PENDING BIOS

Performance Trailer:

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Credits:

PENDING

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

ŻfinMalta & Paloma Munoz (Malta/Spain)

PENDING

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

PHOTO PENDING

Synopsis:

PENDING

About the Company:

PENDING

PENDING BIOS

Performance Trailer:

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Credits:

PENDING

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

Giovanni Insaudo (Sicily)

DIVA

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

Synopsis:

”Diva" is the latest work by Giovanni Insaudo, exploring the timeless figure of the Diva and her idealisation in popular culture. The piece is primarily inspired by the ultimate diva, Marilyn Monroe, offering a glimpse into the private and often solitary lives of these icons of 1950s fame. The performance seeks to unveil the introverted reality behind the glamour, media attention, and public idealisation, highlighting the contrast between what the audience sees and what these divas truly experience. It sheds light on the often negative influence of powerful male figures in their lives. In the 1950s, divas were frequently subject to the control and influence of powerful men who could shape their careers and personal destinies. These men—producers, directors, managers, husbands, or lovers—played a significant role in deciding the divas' paths. Often, divas were forced to conform to male expectations, limiting their autonomy and stifling their creative potential.

Giobanni Insaudo - Choreographer & Performer

Giovanni Insaudo is an internationally recognised choreographer and founder of the collective I VESPRI. His choreographic language merges physicality, emotion, and narrative. In 2024, he was awarded Best Emerging Choreographer of the Year by Danza&Danza and received the City of Foligno Award for choreographic merit. In 2025, he was named New Comer of the Year by Tanz Magazine. His works have been presented at festivals and theatres across Europe, Asia, and North America — in Italy, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, Israel, and Switzerland. Giovanni has collaborated with leading companies and institutions such as Semperoper Dresden, Opera di Graz, Landestheater Linz, Theater Lüneburg, Gärtnerplatz Theater, Konzert und Theater St.Gallen, CNN/AterBalletto, Theater Trier, Theater Nordhausen, Hung Dance, Tanz Luzerner Theater, Palucca Hochschule Dresden, Compagnia Opus Ballet, Opera di Ankara, Tanz Labor/Roxy Theater Ulm, Eko Dance Project Torino, Contemporary Bachelor ZHDK Zurich, Oriol Martorell Conservatorio Barcelona, D.A.F. Roma, Nuovo Balletto di Toscana, and Balletto dell’Esperia. He has received several international awards, including the 2nd Prize at the Burgos-New York Choreographic Competition and the MasDanza Audience Prize.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography, Concept and Direction: Giovanni Insaudo | Choreography Assistant: Sandra Salietti Aguilera | Dancers: Sandra Salietti Aguilera, Gianmarco Marini Zani | Light Designer and Costumes: Giovanni Insaudo | Music: 'Nembutal', 'Fire in the Hills' & 'Shard' by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis and 'I Wanna be loved by you' by Anne Nikitin | Management: Giulia Menti | Production: I Vespri | Co-production: DANCEHAUS più, Festival Danza in Rete Vicenza/Schio

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

Lai Hung-Chung (Taiwan)

BIRDY

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 15mins

Synopsis:

BIRDY explores the interplay of freedom and limitation within Taiwan’s communities. Choreographer LAI Hung-chung delves into the subtle influence of emotion and history on social harmony through a blend of societal dynamics and personal narratives. Using the metaphor of a cage and a dreamer, he bridges individual struggle with broader social contexts. The deconstruction of traditional Peking opera props—such as the spear transformed into a cage-like rattan pole—symbolises life’s constraints. The use of “Ling Zi” (pheasant feathers), traditionally linked to warrior strength, is reinterpreted to empower individuals to redefine their consciousness. Set to an eclectic mix of electronic and Chinese classical music, and blending Tai Chi with contemporary dance, BIRDY traces a journey from tradition to modernity, inviting reflection on freedom, balance, identity, and self-awareness.

About the Company:

HUNG DANCE is a Taiwanese contemporary dance company founded in 2017 by Artistic Director and choreographer LAI Hung-chung. Inspired by the word "Hung (翃)," the company's name reflects its aspiration to soar. Focusing on annual productions, international collaboration, and tours, HUNG DANCE also organises the Stray Birds Dance Platform to foster choreographers' creativity and connect emerging artists with global resources. The company has received numerous awards for its exceptional choreographic pieces, including Watcher, BIRDY, and Push and Pull in renowned competitions and festivals worldwide. It has also embarked on an extensive international tour, captivating audiences across Europe, Asia, Australia, America, and Africa with over two hundred mesmerising performances. HUNG DANCE's performances are a unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, inviting audiences to interpret, imagine, and embrace dance's timeless beauty. LAI Hung-chung's choreography delves into human emotions and the connection between culture and nature. By seamlessly blending elements of Chinese opera, mythology, and Tai Chi with contemporary concepts, he has created a unique dance vocabulary and training system that is sure to intrigue and captivate.

Lai Hung-Chung - Choreographer

LAI Hung-chung graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts' Department of Dance. In 2016, he participated in the Ministry of Culture's Taiwan Creative Dance Competition, clinching a gold medal, 2 outstanding awards, and one excellent award with 4 dance creations to become the first ever choreographer to receive 4 awards at the same time in the competition's history. In 2025, his work Push and Pull received the First Prize and Audience Prize at the Hannover International Choreography Competition, as well as four partner awards at RIDCC: Nederlands Dans Theater, FORM Dance Projects, Codarts Rotterdam, and TanzLabor ROXY Ulm. After founding HUNG DANCE, he placed emphasis on cultivating the dancers' abilities and developing inspirations for dance pieces. He devised innovative ways to train the company based on the creative concept and needs, as well as searched for a balance between contemporary thinking and dance. In addition, he has devoted himself to a wide range of international collaborations and new talent development programs in the hope of expanding the diverse dance scene.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreographer, Costume Designer: Lai Hung-Chung | Rehearsal Director: Cheng I-han | Composer: KUO Yu | Lighting Designer: Tsai Chao-yu | Music Composer: Kuo Yu

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

Thomas Martino (Italy/France) 

LIGHEA

Date: 23rd July | Location: Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta | Duration: 10mins

Disclaimer: 

This performance contains partial nudity. Viewer discretion is advised.

Synopsis:

LIGHEA, the protagonist of my creation, is a sea creature with an anomalous charm. Inspired by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's fantastic tale from the year 1956, Lighea is a creature of the sea. Half woman, half fish, she drags her body with elegance and beauty, wearing an empty, almost absent look. Her captivating song seduces a beautiful, young man and their encounter generates a gushing wellspring of feeling and reflection. Theirs will be a duet of listening, of the dialogue of a unique and superhuman love and of mutual assistance. A work reflecting the need of the human psyche to cast itself into the vast ocean of imagination. This duo compels us to reflect on our impact on the oceans and marine creatures. Lighea creates an emotional bridge between the human and marine worlds. She invites us to consider our responsibility in protecting and preserving these precious ecosystems, threatened by pollution and climate change. 

About the Company:

Thomas Martino - Choreographer

Thomas Martino trained at the Agora Coaching Project and danced with Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich and Theater Basel. Now active internationally as choreographer, performer, and assistant, his award-winning debut Lighea has been presented at major festivals. Upcoming creations include Red Dots and Purgatorio, while collaborating with leading European artists.

Sofia Fagioli & Daniel Domenech - Dancers

Sofia Fagioli trained at DAF Rome under Mauro Astolfi, graduating in 2024. In 2025 she joined Staatsballett Hannover (Goyo Montero). She performed works by Astolfi and Brett Ishida, won second prize at Burgos–New York with Lighea by Thomas Martino, and appeared as guest with Ballet Theater Nordhausen. 

Daniel Domenech, born in Madrid, trained at the Real Conservatorio Mariemma and joined San Francisco Ballet after the Prix de Lausanne. He danced with Royal Ballet of Flanders and, from 2022, as soloist at Ballet Theater Basel. Now independent, he collaborates, performs, teaches, and stages works internationally. 

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreographer: Thomas Martino | Dancers: Sofia Fagioli & Daniel Domenech | Music: 'FOM III (Turbulence)' by Davidson Jaconello & 'Too Bright' by Perfume Genius | Sound Designer: Lorenzo Cimarelli

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

Conversations with the Artists

With Dr Paula Guzzanti

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 40mins

CONVERSATION WITH ALL ARTISTS ATTENDING THE Q & R SESSION

About The Mediator:

Dr Paula Guzzanti is a dance artist, scholar, somatic movement practitioner, and tango dancer and teacher. She specialises in artistic and embodied research practices. In her research, Paula explores the role of the sensorial body in fostering responsible decision-making when designing urban landscapes that connect us to the natural environment. She is particularly interested in developing methodologies to deepen our interaction with the world, including the use of digital technologies to document sensory connections to places. She began her dance training in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later continued in Ireland, where she earned a practice-based PhD in Dance Improvisation and Collaborative Performance Making at Queen’s University Belfast. She now resides in Malta, where she is the Head of the Dance Studies Department at the University of Malta.

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

IMPORTANT

The programmes for Dance Festival Malta Day 3 (A & B) occur separately for which two separate tickets need to be purchased.

The performance 'T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - The End' contains imagery that may trigger discomfort for some viewers, particularly individuals with trypophobia (a sensitivity or aversion to clustered patterns of holes or bumps). Viewer discretion is advised.

The performance 'LIGHEA' contains partial nudity. Viewer discretion is advised.

Dance Festival Malta is sponsored by:

APS Bank, Visit Malta, MAPFRE, Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, and GSD Marketing Ltd.