Lagos Theatre Festival: Four Countries on the Bill

The Lagos International Theatre Festival will bring together artists and productions from Nigeria, Kenya, Canada, and Brazil on November 14 and 15, 2026, at the MUSON Centre. This edition will be themed “The Masks We Wear,” emphasizing the idea that the stage can emerge anywhere.

The international segment will feature Under The Mango Tree, a production by the Grand Theatre of Canada directed by Lynette Randall. Performances from Kenya and Brazil will complete this four-country lineup.

The Nigerian programming will include companies from Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Abeokuta. Among the announced works are Monkey Laundry by Olarotimi Fakunle, tHERapy by Tosin Adeyemi, Men-Oh-Pause by Elvina Ibru, and Behind Closed Doors by Bolanle Austen-Peters.

The festival will kick off before the main weekend. On November 9, “Theatre Meets Food,” hosted by chef Hilda Baci, will bring together artists and cultural sector stakeholders. November 10 and 11 will be dedicated to “Embassy Nights,” aimed at fostering exchanges between diplomats and creators.

Masterclasses and discussions are scheduled for November 12, focusing on mental health, vocal performance, DJing, and copyright. A gala evening will officially open the event on November 13, just before the main performances.

Founder Bolanle Austen-Peters presents “The Masks We Wear” as an invitation to examine the roles played in everyday life. The organizers also aim to take theatre out of its usual venues and transform various spaces in Lagos into stages for performance and interaction.