The Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) has returned for its 2026 edition, bringing together Nigerian and international theatre practitioners for a weeklong celebration of performance, culture and creative exchange.

The festival, founded by Nigerian theatre producer Bolanle Austen-Peters, is running from November 9 to 15, with its main performance weekend scheduled for November 14 and 15 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

This year’s edition is themed “The Masks We Wear”, with the accompanying campaign statement, “The Stage Is Everywhere”, exploring the different identities and roles people assume in their everyday lives.

The organisers said the theme encourages audiences to reflect on how individuals present themselves in different social settings and how performance extends beyond conventional theatre spaces into everyday life.

The 2026 festival features productions from Nigeria and other countries, including Kenya, Canada and Brazil, alongside performances from different parts of the country.

The programme brings together established theatre practitioners, independent production companies, emerging performers and school productions, creating a platform for interaction between experienced artists and younger talents.

Speaking on the festival, its director, Vanessa Jev, said the programme reflected the diversity of Nigerian theatre while providing opportunities for cultural exchange with international artists.

She said the festival continued to connect Nigerian theatre with performers, audiences and creative ideas from across Africa and other parts of the world.

The weeklong activities opened on Monday, November 9, with Theatre Meets Food, an event hosted by Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci, bringing together food, theatre and members of Lagos’s creative community.

This is followed by Embassy Nights on November 10 and 11, organised in collaboration with the British and American embassies. The sessions are designed to encourage cultural exchange involving diplomatic representatives and creative industry stakeholders.

The programme will continue with an Opening Night Gala on Friday, November 13, ahead of the main festival weekend, when audiences will experience two days of live theatrical performances at the MUSON Centre.

Among the productions announced for the festival is Under The Mango Tree, a Canadian production directed by Lynette Randall. Other featured works include Tristia: Blood Bird, tHERapy, directed by Tosin Adeyemi, and African Stories, directed by Winihin Jemide.

The festival will also feature school productions from Atlantic Hall, Evergreen College and Children International School, alongside additional international performances.

Speaking about the theme, Austen-Peters said theatre provided an opportunity for people to examine their identities and the different roles they play in society.

She said the festival was inviting audiences to recognise that performance was not restricted to conventional stages but could also be found in everyday interactions and cultural experiences.

LITF 2026 is supported by the Lagos State Government, Afreximbank, Ledco, Wema Bank, Pillar Oil, Prime Atlantic and Amstel, alongside other international and cultural partners.

Beyond its entertainment value, the festival seeks to strengthen the Nigerian theatre industry by creating opportunities for local practitioners to engage with international productions, exchange ideas and reach wider audiences.