Photos: Bristish Council kicks off Lagos Theatre Festival

Freedom Park came alive on Febryary 23,2016, as Lagos Theatre Festival, the biggest performing arts ever held in Nigeria kicked off.

During the 6-day festival, art lovers and enthusiasts will enjoy over 100 shows across 17 venues in Lagos.

“Lagos Theatre Festival is part of the collaboration between the UK and Nigeria in art and culture. The Festival promises to be an extravaganza with plays taking place on the Island and Mainland parts of Lagos… with fringe events taking place all around Lagos. We are going to enjoy single day of the Festival,” said Connie Price, Country Director of the British Council.

Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, the Lagos Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism commended the British Council and the team behind the Festival. He also expressed the state government’s commitment to supporting the arts in various forms.

“I will like to commend all the staff, the theatre companies, and partners that have worked hard to put this Festival together. We can put together a performing arts sector that can rival any one in the world, and we are prepared to engage you to find ways these can be achieved,” said Coker.

“I am keen to see how we can use creativity and talent that exist in this sector to address the myriad of challenges in the mega-city we so love. I look forward to watching some of the shows over the next few days and hope that, like me, you will not only attend but will invite others to do so”.

Guests present at the event include Bridget Oyefeso–Odusanmi, First Bank Head of Sponsorships, Yeni Kuti, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, Wana Udobang, David Evans from the National Theatre in Wales, Bikiya Graham–Douglas, and more.

Guests were entertained by Isaac Geralds, and Pelumi, a spoken word artiste.

Tickets can be purchased from the box office at Freedom Park or TerraKulture, and online from NaijaTicketShop and Dealdey.com.

Lagos Theatre Festival 2016 is part of the UK/Nigeria 2015–16, a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.

About UK/Nigeria 2015–16

UK/Nigeria 2015–16 is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.

Programmed in association with a host of partners, it features more than 30 projects and more than 80 events in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and film throughout Nigeria and includes showcases of Nigerian arts and creative industries in the UK.

UK/Nigeria 2015–16 has a focus on creating access to art, new digital work, innovation, and art in public spaces working with young people. Partnerships between Nigerian and British artists, institutions and organisations will be at the heart of the season which aims to develop skills and capacity across the creative industries.

The programme will run until April 2016 creating new connections in arts, education, innovation, trade and investment.

About Red Media Africa

Red Media Africa is a PR & Communication firm under the parent company, RED. An innovative media group focused on Africa, RED's vision is to excite and empower an evolving generation through the media's limitless possibilities.

Built across tools and platforms, its Communication Division holds Red Media Africa, Red Marketing and Small & Medium, and YouthConnect; and its Content Division holds the Y! brands, including Y! TV, Y! Magazine, YNaija.com, Teen Y!, Y! 2015, the Y! Tech 100 and the Y! Annual Black Ball/Y! 100 Most Influential List. It also anchors a development firm, The Future Project Africa, which co-presents Africa's leading youth platform, The Future Awards Africa, and other projects including the Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders and The Future Enterprise Support Scheme.

Click "Photos" to see the other pictures.