The much-awaited Lagos International Theater Festival (LITF) kicked off in grand style, offering a vibrant mix of talent, captivating drama and rich cultural exchanges.
The festival, convened by filmmaker and CEO of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters, was held from November 14 to 17 with the support of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The inaugural performances were held at four prominent venues in Lagos: the University of Lagos, Terra Kulture, Agip Hall of the Muson Centre, and Glover Hall.
These performances attracted theater enthusiasts, actors and creatives from around the world, setting the tone for a week-long celebration of storytelling and artistic brilliance.
The festival featured an impressive line-up of 25 plays and three international masterpieces. It celebrated culture, creativity and community while offering audiences an immersive experience through live performances, workshops and more.
As the festival concludes today, it continues to delight audiences with three international productions from the United States, South Africa and Zambia.
Lagos International Theater Festival Plays
The festival came to life with several captivating theatrical performances, seamlessly blending classic and contemporary storytelling. From gripping monologues to dynamic group performances, the shows thrilled audiences and highlighted the richness of local and global cultures.
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Each performance brought to life a unique narrative, showcasing theatre's enduring ability to inspire, entertain and spark meaningful debate.
In a series of videos shared on Terra Kulture's Instagram page, plays such as 'Anatomy of a Woman', 'Who Tiff Monalisa', 'The Call', 'METSI (Water)' and 'My Mother, My Sister' were performed. ' before a delighted audience.
Navena Production presented Anatomy of a Woman by Wole Oguntokun at the Muson Center Lawn, Onikan. Directed by Austine Onuoha, the play presented a powerful and deeply moving exploration of the complexities of womanhood, leaving audiences captivated and inspired.
Similarly, Debola Santa's latest production, Who Tiff Monalisa, was also staged at the Muson Center Lawn. This satirical piece delved into the web of white lies within the art world, offering a humorous yet thought-provoking perspective.
The venue also hosted CheekyDog Production's impressive performance of Bimbo Manuel's The Call. The production's all-star cast captivated audiences with their powerful storytelling and stunning visuals, leaving the crowd in awe.
The festival also featured international productions, including METSI (Water) from South Africa, which had a spectacular performance. Directed by Hannah Tonder and produced by Sketch Production, this play explores a spiritual and dramatic story of love and survival in a flood-affected community, unraveling life's challenges and the forces that shape human destiny.
Another standout performance came from Sisiano Productions with 'My Mother, My Sister,' which addressed generational trauma, personal triumphs, and hope for a better future. The deeply emotional work left the audience spellbound and reflective.
Lagos International Theater Festival The best theater in West Africa
Austen-Peters, who revealed that she had initially planned to withdraw from organizing the festival, stated that she had no choice but to press ahead.
He explained that his goal was to establish Terra Kulture as the leading theater destination in West Africa, across Africa and globally.
“I didn't want to do this festival, but I recognized that as the leader of Terra Kulture, 22 years later, creating jobs, creating opportunities with an academy that today has trained more than 24,000 young people, I had no choice but to do it.
“We will make this the best place for a theater in West Africa, Africa and the world,” he added.
The filmmaker announced that the festival would become an annual celebration to honor talents, highlight authentic African stories and create opportunities for meaningful participation.
He noted that the inaugural edition of LITF aligns with the 20th anniversary of the founding of Terra Kulture Group.
Austen-Peters said: “After several world-class works we have promoted locally and internationally and after training over 26,000 young people through the Terra Academy for the Arts, we are delighted to use LITF to draw attention to live theatre, determined to Continue to lead the charge that plays are alive and well in Nigeria.”
Initiative to support theater professionals
Sanwo-Olu said the state’s partnership with the Terra Kulture team was aimed at providing Lagosians with an exceptional experience over the four days of the festival.
He affirmed his unwavering support as the main sponsor of the festival. He expressed hope that the event will contribute to establishing an arts and cultural calendar to guide residents and visitors to attractions and activities within the state.
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“We hope to use this brilliant initiative to support theater professionals and encourage programming of arts activities so that visitors to our state can get a taste of what is in store for them each month,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized his administration's commitment to investing in and promoting the creative industry, expressing confidence that the sector will drive economic growth, foster social and behavioral change and enhance Nigeria's global image.
He highlighted that the festival aims to celebrate and promote the richness of Nigerian and African theater by offering a platform for local and international artists to showcase their talents.
Lagos International Theater Festival