Brings the world to the Astor
Liverpool is getting ready to welcome the world as the LITF returns to the Astor Theatre from October 14–18.
The festival features productions from Mexico, Wales, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy and beyond, along with a special film presentation from Uganda. Across five days, audiences can experience drama, comedy, physical theatre, music and storytelling from a range of cultures and perspectives.
Opening Night is Wednesday, October 14. The Parade of Flags gets underway at 6 p.m., as the visiting troupes make their way to the Astor. At 6:30 p.m., the ticketed Opening Ceremonies welcome troupes to Liverpool, with introductions and anthem singing, followed by There’s Something in the Water, a musical theatre cabaret featuring local performers Kristopher Snarby, Lauren Amireault, Brent Raddall and Deborah Raddall, accompanied by Alison Williams.
Thursday at 7 p.m., En Movimiento Teatro from Mexico City presents Leyendas (Legends). Set inside the mysterious Swan Tavern, the play draws on Mexican folklore and brings legendary figures including Don Juan Manuel and La Llorona to life. As two visitors encounter these stories, they begin to question whether they are simply hearing legends or have somehow become part of one. En Movimiento Teatro are longtime friends of LITF and return to Liverpool with their energetic and imaginative work.
At 8:30 p.m., Players Theatre from Gelligaer, Wales, presents A Kind of Vesuvius. Three men facing unemployment struggle to maintain their friendships and their sense of purpose. The play combines humour with a human look at isolation, failure and the loss of work, while asking what keeps people connected when circumstances begin to change.
Friday at 7 p.m., Theatre Studio Beloe from Geneva, Switzerland, presents BREAK the SILENCE. Using physical theatre and movement, the production explores silence, isolation and communication beyond words. The company previously appeared at LITF in 2024.
At 8:30 p.m., Hoosh Theatre from Amsterdam presents NEST, a multidisciplinary performance about leaving an old home and finding the courage to create a new one. Music, movement and audience interaction come together in a story about home, change and the challenge of starting over.
Saturday afternoon features Krzyk Theatre from Poland and Hey You!. This intimate physical-theatre production explores relationships, acceptance, growing up and the search for connection. Through movement and performance, the company examines how people relate to one another and the challenges of finding where they belong. This is Krzyk Theatre’s first appearance at LITF.
A special film presentation from Uganda follows with The Pursuit from Ushindi Community Theatre. Combining traditional storytelling, music, colour and movement, the production follows a young man attempting to escape an initiation ceremony and the expectations placed upon him. This production was filmed for LITF and contains mature themes.
Saturday evening begins at 7 p.m. with Bard To The Bone, presented by Contemporancient Theatre Cymru of Wales. Taking a comedic and accessible approach to Shakespeare, the production is aimed at both audiences who think they know little about the Bard and those already familiar with his work.
At 8:30 p.m., Stage Leftovers from London presents The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer. Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival, the contemporary production follows Eva as she navigates intrusive thoughts, trauma and self-doubt. Her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment provides the heart of the story. The production contains mature themes.
Coffee Critiques and are led by festival adjudicator Jennifer Scott-Reid. The sessions provide an opportunity to hear the adjudicator’s perspective on the festival performances and take part in discussion about the work.
Sunday at 2 p.m., audiences are invited to the Astor for a conversation with multi-award-winning Egyptian actor and director Eslam Aswad.
The festival concludes Sunday evening with the Closing Ceremonies at 7 p.m., where the unique JesterFish awards will be presented based on the adjudicators’ results, special Artistic Directors’ Awards, and the People’s Choice Award.
LITF is also about what happens beyond the performances. International artists become part of the Liverpool community during the festival, including through the festival’s traditional billeting program.
You don’t need to be theatre experts to enjoy LITF. Choose a play that catches your eye, come for one performance or make a weekend of it.
For more information go to LITF.ca.
Come for the theatre, stay for the possibilities
