Lagos International Theatre Festival 2024 set to celebrate culture, creativity and community
The maiden edition of Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) is set to bring an electrifying blend of culture, creativity, and community to Lagos from November 14 — 17, 2024. With a four-day lineup, LITF will showcase 25 plays across four iconic venues, transforming them into vibrant theatrical hubs filled with performances, workshops, vendor stalls, and interactive activities.
The festival, sponsored by Lagos State Government, First Bank, Dorman Long Engineering, and Craneburg Construction, with support from brands like Amstel Malta, Tiger, Legend, AfricaMagic, Pulse, Beat FM, Classic FM, Smooth FM, TraceTV, and Africa Movie Channel promises a truly immersive experience that celebrates the richness of Nigerian and African storytelling through stage performances.
Founded by a renowned lawyer, theatre producer credited and unarguably a leader in the Nigerian arts scene, Bolanle Austen-Peters, LITF aims to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary theatre. Austen-Peters, who has been recognized by Forbes and CNN for her contributions, is the founder of Terra Kulture and has directed acclaimed stage works such as Saro the Musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, and Death and the King’s Horseman, among others. Her film credits include 93 Days, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Man of God, The Bling Lagosians and House of Ga’a.
Austen-Peters is also committed to empowering Nigerian youth through the Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), which has provided free training to over 26,000 young people in theatre production skills in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
The festival will begin on Thursday, November 14 with workshops at the John Randle Centre, Onikan from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. These sessions aim to inspire creatives in the arts, covering topics such as the role of insurance and finance in the creative sector, storytelling, and the importance of radio in theatre arts.
On Friday, November 15, the official opening ceremony will take place at Terra Kulture at 6:00pm, featuring a theatrical showcase by Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions. The lineup for the rest of the festival includes performances across Terra Kulture, MUSON Centre, University of Lagos, and Glover Hall, with simultaneous shows from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. In addition to theatre, each venue will host vendor stalls, sponsor booths, face painting, a drinks and food village, games, and other activities for all ages, creating a family-friendly atmosphere.
Three international plays will also be part of the lineup that include Satchmo at the Waldorf from the United States; a one-man portrayal of jazz legend Louis Armstrong; METSI from South Africa; a powerful story of love and survival set in a flood-ridden community and Without a Kiss from Zambia; a raw exploration of lost love and domestic violence. The closing ceremony on Sunday, November 17 will feature comedian and actor Broda Shaggi at Terra Kulture from 7:00pm, promising an evening filled with humor, celebrity appearances, and high-energy performances.
LITF’s Governing Patrons include prominent figures such as the CEO of ChannelsTV Mr. John Momoh, the CEO of MTN Nigeria Mr. Karl Toriola, founder of AFRIFF Chioma Ude, veteran actress Joke Silva, and director of Lagos Fringe Festival Mr. Kenneth Uphopho, among others. Together, they support the festival’s mission to foster cultural exchange, bridge traditional and contemporary theatre, and amplify the magic of African storytelling through a celebration of drama, music, spoken word, and experimental theatre.
