National Theatre to host Lagos contemporary circus festival

Tola Akerele. | Credit: Oghenovo Egodo-Michael.

The National Theatre in Lagos is set to host the inaugural Lagos Contemporary Circus Festival, tagged ‘Circus in Motion’, from October 3 to 4, 2026.

The festival, organised under the theme ‘Reimagining Nigerian Performance for the Global Stage’, aims to develop a sustainable performing arts industry by combining traditional West African acrobatics, folklore, music and storytelling with modern circus techniques.

According to a statement issued by the National Theatre on Wednesday, the event will be preceded by a two-week intensive training residency for young Nigerian performers.

The residency will feature international circus companies and practitioners from Ethiopia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Switzerland.

They include Fekat Circus of Ethiopia, SenCirk of Senegal, Ivoire Cirque Décalé of Côte d’Ivoire and Swiss performer, Jessica Arpin.

The programme, developed with diplomatic and arts partners including the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the Embassy of Switzerland through Pro Helvetia, will expose participating artists to advanced acrobatics, theatre and stagecraft.

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The National Theatre said the training was designed to help young performers develop skills that could create long-term opportunities for them within the creative economy.

The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, Tola Akerele, said the initiative was designed to create a sustainable ecosystem for contemporary circus in Nigeria.

Akerele said the festival would combine Nigerian movement traditions with international expertise while providing a platform for young West African artists to take their stories to international audiences.

Apart from the stage performances, the festival will also feature youth engagement and community outreach programmes.

The activities are expected to introduce young Nigerians to career opportunities in performance, directing and technical stage production.

The National Theatre and its founding partners are also seeking corporate sponsors and institutional partners to support the continued development and expansion of the festival.