The Lagos International Theatre Festival will return to the MUSON Centre in Lagos from November 14 to 15, organisers told Vanguard.
The organisers said the two-day programme will feature productions and artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Canada and Brazil, adopt the festival theme, “The Masks We Wear”, and bear the statement “The Stage Is Everywhere”. The report added that more than 25,000 attendees are drawn to the festival across its programme days.
Scheduled international entries include Grand Theatre’s Under The Mango Tree from Canada, directed by Lynette Randall, along with productions from Kenya and Brazil. Nigerian works listed for the programme come from Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Abeokuta. Among the listed works are Monkey Laundry, directed by Olarotimi Fakunle; tHERapy, directed by Tosin Adeyemi; Men-Oh-Pause, directed by Elvina Ibru; and Behind Closed Doors, directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters.
Organisers said LITF will act as a platform for emerging theatre makers, showcasing productions from Atlantic Hall, Evergreen College and Children International School, alongside professional and independent shows.
Events before the main weekend will start on November 9 with Theatre Meets Food, hosted by Hilda Baci. Embassy Nights are scheduled for November 10 and 11. On November 12, a Conversations & Culture day will offer masterclasses and discussions on topics including mental health and wellness, vocal performance, DJing and copyright. The pre-festival programme ends with an Opening Night Gala on November 13, followed by the festival weekend on November 14 and 15.
Founder Bolanle Austen-Peters said the theme explores the roles people play in their daily lives and how theatre can help examine those roles. “‘The Masks We Wear’ is a theme that speaks to all of us. We all play different roles in our lives, and theatre allows us to examine those roles, question them, and perhaps see ourselves differently,” she said, the organisers reported. Austen-Peters also stressed that theatre will not be confined to conventional theatre buildings, saying, “The stage is everywhere.” The organisers added that Festival Director Vanessa Jev said the range of voices taking part would give audiences opportunities to experience different cultures and perspectives.
The organisers told Vanguard that backing for LITF 2026 comes from the Lagos State Government, Lekoil, Pillar Oil, Afrexim and Amstel, among other partners.
Details in this article are based on a report by Vanguard. For the full report see Vanguard.
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