Theatre, Food and Culture Take Centre Stage at 2026 LITF
Kehinde Adeleye
Theatre, food, culture and international entertainment will come together in Lagos in November as the Lagos International Theatre Festival, LITF, returns for its 2026 edition, offering residents and visitors a mix of performances, cultural experiences and creative events.
The festival, scheduled for November 14 and 15 at the MUSON Centre, is expected to attract more than 25,000 attendees across its programme days, with theatre practitioners and performers from Nigeria, Kenya, Canada and Brazil set to participate.
Beyond the main stage, the festival will spread its activities across several days, giving audiences opportunities to experience theatre alongside food, music, cultural exchange and conversations about the creative industry.
The 2026 edition is themed “The Masks We Wear”, with the statement “The Stage Is Everywhere.” The theme explores the different roles and identities people assume in everyday life while challenging the traditional idea that theatre must take place inside a theatre building.
An international highlight will be Under The Mango Tree by Grand Theatre from Canada, directed by Lynette Randall. Productions from Kenya and Brazil will also feature alongside a diverse Nigerian programme.
The Nigerian line-up includes productions from Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Abeokuta, including 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.
Young and emerging theatre makers will also have an opportunity to showcase their work, with productions from Atlantic Hall, Evergreen College and Children International School joining performances by professional and independent theatre practitioners.
The festival experience will begin on November 9 with Theatre Meets Food, hosted by Hilda Baci. The event will bring together artists, cultural leaders, partners and members of Lagos’ creative community for an evening of food, theatre and conversation.
This will be followed by Embassy Nights on November 10 and 11, celebrating cultural exchange among diplomatic representatives, artists and creative industry leaders.
On November 12, Conversations & Culture will feature masterclasses and discussions covering mental health and wellness, vocal performance, DJing, copyright and other issues shaping the creative sector.
The programme will culminate in an Opening Night Gala on November 13, ahead of the main festival weekend at the MUSON Centre.
Founder of LITF, Bolanle Austen-Peters, said the theme reflects the different identities people assume in their everyday lives and the role theatre can play in examining them.
“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.
Austen-Peters added that the festival would also challenge audiences to think beyond conventional theatre spaces.
“This year, we are also reminding audiences that theatre is not confined to a theatre building. The stage is everywhere,” she said.
Festival Director, Vanessa Jev, said the participation of artists from Nigeria, Kenya, Canada and Brazil would give audiences an opportunity to experience different cultures and perspectives while creating opportunities for international collaboration.
With theatre, food, cultural events, masterclasses and social gatherings spread across the programme, LITF 2026 is designed to offer residents and visitors a broader leisure and cultural experience beyond the main festival performances.
The festival is supported by the Lagos State Government, Lekoil, Pillar Oil, Afrexim and Amstel, alongside its growing network of international and cultural partners.
Founded by Austen-Peters, the Lagos International Theatre Festival celebrates theatre and performance while promoting Nigerian creativity, international collaboration, cultural exchange and artistic dialogue.
