Theatre and Art will add more colour to Lagos this month as the vibrant city prepares to host the inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) from November 14 to 17.
Founded by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the LITF is designed to celebrate culture, creativity, and community. The four-day event promises an exciting journey through the world of live performances, workshops, exhibitions, and much more.
The festival will be staged across four iconic Lagos venues: Terra Kulture Arena, MUSON Centre, University of Lagos, and Glover Hall. Participants will be treated to an impressive lineup of 25 plays spanning a range of genres, with international features brought by three shows from the United States, South Africa, and Zambia.
At a recent event to officially announce the festival, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State and lead sponsor, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership between the state and the festival.
The governor discussed the importance of creating an arts and culture calendar that can guide residents and visitors alike in discovering the city’s cultural offerings.
“Our hope is to use this brilliant initiative to support theatre practitioners and to encourage the listing of art activities ahead of time, so that visitors to our state can have an idea of what each month offers,” said Sanwo-Olu.
Bolanle Austen-Peters, the visionary founder of LITF and the Terra Academy for the Arts, shared her excitement about the festival’s launch.
After years of promoting world-class Nigerian plays and training over 26,000 young people in the arts, Austen-Peters expressed her commitment to ensuring live theatre thrives in Nigeria.
“We are delighted to use LITF to draw attention to live theatre. We are determined to continue leading the charge that stage plays are alive and well in Nigeria,”
The festival will offer a rich blend of activities, including workshops, an opening-night celebration, exhibitions, and a closing-night performance.
In addition to the theatre performances, there will be interactive games and displays, offering something for everyone—from theatre enthusiasts to casual attendees.
