Started in 1992, the Liverpool International Theatre
Festival (LITF) is an amateur theatre competition hosted every two years
in the town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, at the historic Astor Theatre.
The event is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers who, with the
aid of community and government sponsors, brings the world to our
small-town stage for a diverse and appreciative audience.
The Artistic Director selects twelve amateur theatre companies from
countries all over the world, via an application process, to perform at
this phenomenal five-day festival. At least two of the 12 available
invitations are reserved for troupes from Nova Scotia, making the
festival a delectable mix of local flavour and international flair. The
landmark 10th festival will be held next year, in 2010.
LITF has drawn participation from 23 countries including: England,
U.S.A., Japan, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Slovakia,
Germany, Venezuela, Singapore, Denmark, Belgium, Korea, Poland, Croatia,
Australia, El Salvador, Pakistan, Israel, Syria, and Wales. Canadian
troupes from Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec have also
performed at LITF over the past nine festivals.
Plays are performed in the language of the competitor’s choosing, and
run between 30 and 50 minutes. Professional adjudicators watch all the
performances and then offer analysis of the productions to the cast,
crew, and interested audience members in a daily morning session called
the Coffee Critique.
The festival kicks off with an Opening Night Reception, where the
performing troupes are welcomed in a colourful and entertaining public
ceremony. For the next four nights, performers, audience members,
sponsors, and the media mingle at an ongoing hospitality event called
Festival Club, which features musical entertainment, a cash bar, and
stories galore.
Over the five days of the festival theatre professionals offer various
workshops to ticket subscribers, delegates, and the general public. The
last festival workshops included subjects such as street theatre in
Nepal, meditation and theatre, playwriting, and movement.
For the duration of the festival, the town of Liverpool opens its doors
to its honoured visitors, many of whom are billeted with local
residents, and a full slate of special events and activities offers
cultural experiences for performers and public alike. Many hosts
describe the billeting arrangement as a true cultural exchange, sharing
their community with international visitors who in turn teach locals all
about their home countries. Many long-lasting relationships have begun
with this simple and generous act of opening one’s home to a stranger.
Transportation is provided free of charge for delegates arriving at the
Stanfield International airport outside of Halifax, and around Liverpool
throughout the five days. At least one vehicle is on call and available
throughout the day and evening, to ensure safe transport of all festival
participants.
The festival wraps up with a closing ceremony, featuring an honour guard
of our famous Mounties (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Production
awards are presented at the closing ceremony, in the following
categories:
• Outstanding International Production
• Outstanding Canadian Production
• Outstanding Director
• Outstanding Actor
• Outstanding Actress
• Outstanding Supporting Actor
• Outstanding Supporting Actress
• Outstanding Visual Presentation
• Best Original Script
• People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award is selected by audience members on the last
day of the event and presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
(or other dignitary).
The Closing Gala is the final event of the festival. Performers,
audience members, organizers and VIPs all gather to share Maritime food,
music, and fun. This final send off usually involves partying until the
wee hours of the morning, as we prepare to say goodbye to new friends
and old friends, wrapping up an adventure of a lifetime.
