Liverpool International Theatre Festival

LITF 2026 

Wednesday, October 14  6:30 pm

LITF Opening Ceremonies & There’s Something in the Water

Help us welcome the world to Liverpool at the LITF 2026 Opening Ceremonies! The evening begins with the colourful Parade of Flags through downtown Liverpool, as participating troupes proudly carry their nations’ flags to the Astor Theatre.

Inside, we’ll officially welcome our international guests with national anthems and opening remarks, followed by a special Musical Theatre Showcase – There’s Something in the Water. Astor favourites Lauren Amirault, Brent Raddall, Kristopher Snarby and Deborah Raddall, accompanied by Alison Williams on piano, will share a collection of musical theatre favourites and a little local magic.

Because in Liverpool, we’ve always said there must be something in the water!

Ticket price:  $10

Thursday, October 15

Leyendas (Legends)

Theatre Troupe	En Movimiento Teatro
Country	Mexico
Date	Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time	7:00 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: In the heart of Mexico City, time stands still within the shadowy walls of The Swan Tavern. As the clock strikes eleven, stories and reality begin to blur, and the tavern fills with echoes of the past. Through haunting narrative and spectral re-enactments, classic Mexican legends come alive — from Don Juan Manuel and La Llorona to rumours of the Devil himself offering patrons their heart’s desire for a terrible price. As a violent storm rages outside, the clients must decide whether they are merely hearing stories, or have become part of one.

 

A Kind of Vesuvius

Theatre Troupe	Players Theatre
Country	Wales
Date	Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time	8:30 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: Three men face the harsh reality of unemployment, trying to keep their spirits — and each other — afloat. Honest, funny and deeply human, this drama finds hope and humour in difficult times. As loneliness, isolation and feelings of failure separate the characters from family and friends, suspicion and self-delusion grow. Yet comedy and humanity remain as they struggle for connection and meaning.

 

Friday, October 16

Break the Silence

Theatre Troupe	Theatre Studio Beloe
Country	Switzerland
Date	Friday, October 16, 2026
Time	7:00 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: Break the Silence explores silence from many dimensions: ancient statues silent for centuries, people surrounded by others yet isolated by loneliness, and a futuristic world where sound has disappeared. Silence becomes a space to hear one another beyond words, revealing dreams, fears and memories. A statement against war and indifference, the performance invites us to speak about what matters, listen deeply and remember our profound human connection.

 

Nest

Theatre Troupe	Hoosh Theater
Country	Netherlands
Date	Friday, October 16, 2026
Time	8:30 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: Nest is a punk-like performance about breaking away from an old home and trying to find a new one. A woman is stuck in her nest, holding tightly to the way things are. Six people try different ways to help her move forward – inviting her to dance, seducing her with songs, getting angry, and even breaking down the nest. But ultimately, the decision to leave must be her own.

 

 

 

Saturday, October 17

Hey You!

Theatre Troupe	Scream Theatre
Country	Poland
Date	Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time	2:00 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: An intimate, physical theatre performance about relationships, growing up, finding connection and making sense of who we are. Created collaboratively with two young actresses, Hey You! combines physical intensity with tenderness, emotional volatility and self-reflection. As the world rushes forward into adulthood, family, relationships and dreams leave fragments and fleeting impressions. In the end, perhaps all we truly have is one another – and perhaps that is enough.

 

The Pursuit – Film Presentation

Mature Theme

Theatre Troupe	Ushindi Community Theatre
Country	Uganda
Date	Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time	3:30 PM
Ticket Price:	$10

Synopsis: A Chief’s son is expected to undergo a traditional initiation ceremony involving adult circumcision — and he isn’t too keen. He flees his village and hides elsewhere, but a plot involving the village’s most beautiful girl leads to his capture and circumcision, saving his father’s embarrassment. But how does the young man himself feel? The Pursuit is a feast of colour, music and movement, presented in English.

 

 

Bard to the Bone

Theatre Troupe	Contemporancient Theatre
Country	Wales
Date	Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time	7:00 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: A comedy introduction to the life and works of William Shakespeare. Two professional actors and a bloke who “isn’t the sharpest tool in the box” offer a hilarious and educational journey through Shakespeare for everyone – from those put off the Bard by a traumatic school experience to those with a genuine interest and expertise. Designed for families, children and adults alike, Bard to the Bone promises to send audiences away with a new interest in Shakespeare.

A special non-competitive presentation by Contemporancient Theatre.

 

The Extraordinary Life of a Rat Racer

Mature Themes

Theatre Troupe	Stage Leftovers
Country	Italy / London
Date	Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time	8:30 PM
Ticket Price:	$20

Synopsis: Eva is stuck in a world that keeps punching her down as she desperately tries to play the game: pay the bills, get him to football and survive the other mums’ comments. On her way to an important job interview, intrusive thoughts take over. Guided by Arthur, a grotesque, sadistic half-real figure, Eva journeys through violent thoughts, trauma and self-hatred toward self-acceptance and empowerment. This new work comes fresh from success at the Edinburgh Festival.

 

LITF 2026 Closing Ceremony & Awards

7:00 PM

Ticket Price:  $10

Join us as we bring the 17th Biennial Liverpool International Theatre Festival to a close and celebrate an extraordinary week of theatre, friendship and cultural exchange.

The Closing Ceremony & Awards is one of LITF’s highlights — a chance for audiences, artists, volunteers and special guests to come together one last time to celebrate the outstanding work presented on the Astor stage.

Throughout the evening, the LITF Awards will honour achievements in performance, directing, original work and visual presentation, culminating in the Outstanding Production, the Artistic Directors’ Award and the People’s Choice Award.

 

Come celebrate the artists who have travelled from around the world to share their work with us – and be there as we discover who will take home the LITF 2026 awards.

 

One stage. A world of theatre. One final celebration.

LITF26.Sch