LTF 2021 Promises Artistic Magic, Reckless Art
IN seven years, the Lagos Theatre Festival has produced186 productions, 51 workshops/ panels, and over 590 shows, reaching 42,800 people physically and over 770 million people online. This was revealed by the organisers of one of the most inciting and entertaining theatre festivals on the continent.
Speaking on this year's theatrical feast, Executive Director, LTF 2021, Bikiya Graham- Douglas, said, "we are excited about this year’s line- up and can’t wait to share it with the world. COVID- 19 disrupted and destroyed lives in our country and beyond but against all odds, the arts thrive. This is our first virtual festival and we look forward to new audiences and new experiences."
The festival organisers noted that as the year rapidly unfolds and structures that determine the year's outcome are being laid, "it has become startlingly clear in a post COVID- 19 lockdown, to think outside the box and continuously find innovative ways to create and distribute art. This is what Lagos Theatre Festival ( LTF), has planned for its 8th edition, which holds virtual from March 18 to 21, 2021."
With this year's theme as ‘ Reckless Art'; which represents an ' Out of Bounds' movement and the belief that art should be created with reckless abandon and no limits; ' Reckless Art' celebrates at its core, art that steers, art that inspires, art that moves and art that impacts positively with 10 productions, seven from Nigerian companies, two from the United Kingdom and one from the United States of America, prerecorded, digitally hosted and accessible to the public during the festival.
The exciting productions and breathtaking productions to see in this year's edition include, Kininso Koncepts Productions' Cream Body, The Giddy Round Theatre Company's This Little World: A Solo Performance of Shakespeare's Richard II, Maestro Theatre's riveting production titled, Unbridled. Others are Boys to Men Foundation's A Man's World in Monologues, Adeshine Theatrical Koncepts' Reflections, Just Theatre House's Time Up?, National Theatre Wales’ Tide Whisperer, Abbey Theatre's Dear Ireland III, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation's Jagagba and Kininso Koncepts Productions' Talk N Do.
About the festival programming for 2021, Artistic Director, LTF 2021, Lydia Idakula Sobogun, said, "we have carefully curated this year’s shows to be fun, interesting, and engaging. This is our first time going digital, and it is extremely important for us to keep the sense of community that LTF has fostered over the years."
The LTF, founded by the British Council in 2013 as part of its ambitions of fostering exchange, collaboration, and strengthen relationships between Nigerian and British artists, was created to promote theatre in unconventional spaces and has over the years supported theatremakers and producers to expand their practice beyond traditional theatre spaces by creating works that respond to any given space.
A board of directors that include, Olasupo Shasore ( SAN) as Chair, Ajoke Jacobs, Tosin Oshinowo, David Evans, and Bolanle AustenPeters, runs the festival, which is managed by the LTF Foundation, a not- for- profit organisation.
LTF is sponsored by the British Council and delivered in partnership with Jobberman, National Theatre Wales, Terrakulture, and Nigeria- British Association. The programme will also include activities such as Master Classes, Workshops, Panel conversations, and Instagram Live events, all virtually delivered on all digital platforms and channels. This year, the festival will be digitally hosted on www. lagostheatrefestival. co m with Stageplay Africa TV as the official streaming partner for the plays.