London International Festival of Theatre returns in 2027 with performances taking over the capital

From a theatre transformed into an indoor beach to Ruth Wilson performing opposite 100 different actors in 24 hours, London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) has a history of bringing some unusual theatrical experiences to the capital. Now the festival is preparing to return in summer 2027, with five weeks of international performances taking place across London.

Running from 3^rd June to 4^th July, LIFT will bring artists from Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and the Americas to the city, with a programme spanning major international productions, intimate performances and free events in public spaces.

The festival will be led by Pelin Başaran, creative director of Battersea Arts Centre, which is taking over its presentation. Her plans include bringing theatre into unexpected corners of London, allowing audiences to encounter performances outside conventional venues as well as on established stages.

Since its founding in 1981, LIFT has repeatedly challenged expectations of what theatre can be. Previous editions have included The Second Woman, which saw Wilson perform the same scene with 100 different partners over 24 hours, and Sun & Sea, a climate change opera staged on an indoor beach. In 2018, East Wall brought 150 performers to the Tower of London.

The 2027 festival will also introduce LIFT Off, a new showcase featuring six contemporary productions made in England, presented during the final week in partnership with venues including the Barbican, Southbank Centre, Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre and Sadler’s Wells East.

The full programme remains under wraps until February 2027, but plans already include UK and London premieres alongside performances in public spaces. For those who enjoy theatre that ventures beyond the usual auditorium, LIFT’s return offers the prospect of discovering something unexpected in familiar parts of the city.

The editorial unit
Photo: Ellie Kurttz

London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) takes place across London from 3^rd June to 4^th July 2027. The full programme will be announced in February 2027. For further information, visit the website here.