Lagos International Theatre Festival Returns November 14-15 With Theme ‘The Masks We Wear’

The Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) returns for its 2026 edition on November 14-15 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, bringing together theatre from Nigeria and around the world. This year’s festival is themed “The Masks We Wear,” anchored by the statement “The Stage Is Everywhere.” The theme explores the different roles and identities people assume in everyday life while inviting audiences to consider how theatre extends beyond the traditional stage. The festival attracts more than 25,000 attendees across its programme days and has become one of the most anticipated events on Lagos’s cultural calendar.

LITF 2026 brings an international dimension to Lagos, featuring artists and productions from Kenya, Canada, and Brazil alongside a diverse Nigerian programme. An international highlight is Grand Theatre’s Under The Mango Tree from Canada, directed by Lynette Randall. The Nigerian programme features 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. The festival will also spotlight emerging theatre makers through productions from Atlantic Hall, Evergreen College, and Children International School.

The festival experience begins ahead of the main weekend with events across Lagos. On November 9, Theatre Meets Food, hosted by Hilda Baci, brings together artists, partners, and cultural leaders. Embassy Nights follows on November 10 and 11, celebrating international cultural exchange. November 12 features Conversations & Culture, a day of masterclasses covering mental health, vocal performance, DJing, and copyright. The programme culminates in an Opening Night Gala on November 13, ahead of the main festival weekend. LITF 2026 is supported by the Lagos State Government, Lekoil, Pillar Oil, Afrexim, and Amstel.