The 2021 edition of the Lagos Theatre Festival (LTF) will happen from March 18 to 21, organisers have announced.
With ‘#RecklessART’ as its theme, this 8th edition will be virtual. It will feature re-recorded theatre performances, masterclasses, workshops, panel conversations and Instagram Live events.
Some of the pre-recorded plays include ‘Reflections’ directed by Ife Salako, ‘Tide Whisperer’ directed by Camilla Clarke and ‘A Man’s World in Monologues’ directed by Omoye Uzamere and featuring Toyin Oshinaike, Brutus Richard, Valentine Ohu, Bruno Eziefule, Peter Osilike, Andrew Akiba Eyo and Ife Somuyiwa.
Maestro Theatre’s ‘Unbridled’ directed by Ugochukwu Ugwu and featuring Kelechi Ogbonna, Kosi Ekijeme, Aina Adeola and Chidera Nwafor.
One of the plays to look out for is Joshua Alabi’s ‘Talk N Do’, while the masterclasses include Directing for Theatre with Tosan Edremoda-Ugbeye and Kenneth Uphopho.
There’s also the Jobberman soft skills training facilitated by Precious Ajoonu, Daniel Emenahor and Tofe Adejumo among several others.
The largest performing arts festival in Nigeria, LTF was created to promote theatre in unconventional spaces. The British Council founded it in 2013 as part of its ambitions of fostering exchange, collaboration and strengthen relationships between Nigerian and British artists through the presentation of high quality Nigerian and British theatre.
The first edition was held at Eko Hotel, while the next took place at Freedom Park. There was a break in 2015 and a re-launch in 2016 with the introduction of a fringe strand. In 2017, the festival presented over 70 shows in 16 venues. The 2018 edition of the festival featured over 120 performances in 22 venues.
In 2019, the 6th edition was held from the 8th to April 14, 2019, and featured 26 productions, with 103 events.
British Council handed over the running and management of the Lagos Theatre Festival to an independent Board, LTF Foundation LTD/GTE, in 2019. A Board of Directors, Olasupo Shasore, SAN (chair), Ajoke Silva, Bolanle Austen-Peters, David Evans, Ojoma Ochai and Tosin Oshinowo, manage it.