In November 2026, the Lagos International Theatre Festival will return to the MUSON Centre, Lagos, with a two-day main programme on 14 and 15 November and a week of events leading up to it.
Organisers say the festival draws more than 25,000 people across its programme days and has become a fixture on the Lagos cultural calendar. This year’s theme is “The Masks We Wear”, tied to the line “The Stage Is Everywhere”.
Also read: PodFest Naija 2026 to feature Lagos deputy governor as keynote speaker
The idea is the roles people play in ordinary life, and the claim that theatre is not trapped inside one building.
LITF 2026 will bring work from Kenya, Canada and Brazil as well as Nigeria. An international highlight named by the festival is Grand Theatre’s Under The Mango Tree from Canada, directed by Lynette Randall.
The Nigerian slate includes productions from Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Abeokuta: 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.
Emerging makers from Atlantic Hall, Evergreen College and Children International School will share the programme with professional and independent companies.
The week starts before the MUSON weekend. On 9 November, Theatre Meets Food, hosted by Hilda Baci, will gather artists, partners and cultural figures.
Embassy Nights on 10 and 11 November are billed as evenings of diplomatic and artistic exchange.
On 12 November, Conversations and Culture will run masterclasses on mental health, vocal work, DJing, copyright and other industry questions. An Opening Night Gala is set for 13 November.
Founder Bolanle Austen-Peters said: “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. This year, we are also reminding audiences that theatre is not confined to a theatre building. The stage is everywhere.”
Festival Director Vanessa Jev said the mix of Nigerian artists with performers from Kenya, Canada and Brazil was a chance for audiences to hear more than one accent of the stage.
Also read: PodFest Naija 2026 to feature Lagos deputy governor as keynote speaker
LITF 2026 is supported by the Lagos State Government, Lekoil, Pillar Oil, Afrexim and Amstel, with other international and cultural partners. Ticket prices were not listed in the announcement.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
