LIFT, London’s International Festival of Theatre, has announced that Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) will take on the leadership of the Festival, following a competitive open call process.
The decision marks a new chapter for LIFT, which has championed international theatre in London for over four decades. Founded in 1981 by Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal, the biennial festival has brought daring and unforgettable performances to stages and unexpected spaces across the capital.
BAC’s appointment follows an open call launched in June 2025, inviting individuals, organisations and consortia to propose a values-aligned vision for the Festival’s future.
Robin Saphra, Interim Chair of the Board at LIFT, said:
“We received an overwhelmingly encouraging set of proposals via our open call process. From over 35 proposals, BAC’s vision and leadership stood out in terms of their ideas for our future together and their insight into the challenges facing the UK’s cultural landscape. LIFT’s Board unanimously felt this was a true fit in spirit, scope and ambition. Whilst we finalise terms with BAC, I would like to thank our Board, our panel and advisers and pay tribute to LIFT’s team across 2025: Jo Gooding, (Interim Executive Director), Amaya Jeyarajah Dent (Interim Artistic Director), our Producer Karan Kaul and Head of Finance Noa Bladon, for stewarding the organisation towards this exciting next chapter of leadership by BAC.”
Claudia Kenyatta, Chair of the Battersea Arts Centre Board, added:
“For us, LIFT has always been one of London’s most essential cultural moments – bringing together visionary artists from across the globe. We are delighted to be tasked with leading this next exciting chapter of LIFT’s history – continuing to bring unforgettable, boundary-pushing work to every corner of the capital. As organisations, BAC and LIFT are perfectly aligned with shared passions for access and inclusion, artistic freedom and international exchange. We look forward to building on the incredible success of the last 45 years.”
LIFT’s founders, Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal, also welcomed the news:
“LIFT and BAC’s stories together go back to 1983 with the arrival of Tabule from Sierra Leone and a world of groundbreaking theatre makers ever since. A distinct space in London for a festival of international exchange and collaboration feels more important than ever before.
We’re happy that BAC’s been entrusted with this new adventure in LIFT’s ongoing evolution in and across London. New times call for new models. Stewardship of space for international and UK artists to make and create is at the heart of this and we are delighted.”
Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive, Arts and Museums at Arts Council England, said:
“We are delighted that two organisations with such an important track record in presenting international theatre have taken this bold step. We look forward to seeing how LIFT and BAC can collaborate to reimagine the future of this important festival, so that it continues to thrill London audiences with extraordinary performances by artists from across the globe.”
The two organisations will now enter a formal process to agree the terms of the new partnership, with final approval expected from both Boards by December 2025.
Details of the next edition of LIFT, scheduled for 2027, will be announced in due course.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
