Countdown To Lagos Theatre Festival 2018: “Unconventional Spaces”

The countdown has begun to the fifth edition of Lagos Theatre Festival (LTF) 2018.

Set to take place on the February 27^th–March 4^th, across various venues in Lagos, with a theme Theatre In Unconventional Spaces,  this year’s edition will focus on presenting innovative interpretations of new ideas that will inspire, challenge audiences, and new works that will spark conversations and debates.

Playing host to over 600 artists, 100 performances at 12 Venues, the festival promises to offer a variety of choices for everyone including lovers of theatre, enthusiasts, and returning visitors to the Festival.

Since its inception, Lagos Theatre Festival has remained one of the most diverse and exciting events in the Arts community and will continue to set the standard in contemporary and classic work from leading artists/directors/producers/scriptwriters.

This year, there will be 6 curated shows, 37 fringe shows, and events, some of which includes Esther’s Revenge by PawStudios which will be showing for the first time, Naked by Lala Akindoju, Bridezilla by Women in Arts, 3some by Jude Idada, Strelitzia by Donna Ogunnaike, Don’t Drop The MIC, Open MIC Night among others. It is apparent that the shows cut across diverse theatre genres from different production companies from within and outside Nigeria.

Theatre lovers, enthusiasts, families, and visitors are thus invited to explore a week of cultural celebration, storytelling, applaudable artistic expressions as we reclaim our city’s heritage.

Speaking about the programming of this year’s edition, festival director, Kenneth Uphopho explained that productions were carefully selected to offer an interesting array of the arts. He said, “This year’s festival has been programmed to ensure there is something that appeals to every segment of the society–drama, spoken word, music, workshops, variety shows, visual arts, and so many more. We offer a slice of every bit that you wish to experience.”

Expressing her elation at the growth of the festival over the years, British Council’s Head of Arts in West Africa, Ojoma Ochai revealed that Lagos Theatre Festival has been listed as “One of the top 20 theatre festivals around the world” by America Express Essentials.

She went further to say, “It is quite commendable that in the 5th year of the festival, we get accorded this recognition as one of the top 20 theatre festivals across the world. Lagos Theatre Festival was listed alongside other festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe, Galway International Arts Festival, and London International Festival of Theatre amongst some others. This is good news for us.”

For more details on the festival and all the activities visit www.lagostheatrefestival.com.

This article originally appeared in Olisa.tv on February 22, 2018, and has been reposted with permission.