Celebrated for its boundary pushing line ups, the LIFT Festival brings to the capital some of the world’s most exciting theatrical works. Challenging theatre form, practitioners present ideas in ways that have audiences talking afterwards. East Wall contributes to this tradition, a large scale outdoor production situated in the Tower of London’s Moat. A project crafted by some of the UK’s leading choreographers – Hofesh Shechter, Becky Namgauds, Duwane Taylor, James Finnemore and Joseph Toonga, East Wall’s 150 strong East London Dance cast will no doubt draw the crowds. Krump specialist Duwane Taylor talks more about the creative process behind the show.

Another daring and blood thirsty production put on at the Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, as Richard III takes on a contemporary twist which will have you on the edge of your seats in anticipation. With the Duke of Gloucester killing everyone in sight, there is rarely a dull moment within the play with armies declaring war, devious plots beginning to unfurl and the sweet taste of revenge becoming ever so tempting.

Polish singer, actor and director Marta Górnicka began developing her concept of a new modern and tragic choir theatre at the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute in Warsaw. In 2010, Górnicka  founded her “Choir of Women”and her first production This is the Chorus Speaking, which added a political dimension to her work, premiered in Warsaw the same year, followed by the award winning production Magnificat, which toured internationally.

Courtesy of David Baltzer.

Fake blood and papier-mache decapitated heads at the ready for this pop up theatre exclusive of one of Shakespeare’s most well known and goriest plays, Macbeth. Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre encapsulates the atmospheric openness present within that of The Globe in London, with its groundling style standing seats and tapestry painted stage ceiling, shimmering from the light of the open top roof. Actors voices echo around the space creating real drama, but even further drama when they launch themselves upon innocent audience members, unaware armed soldiers were using them as shelter from the nearby enemy.

Risking life and death for the opportunity of a new life in Kent might not seem all too appealing to many. But for the thousands of refugees escaping war torn countries it is a journey that they can only hope to achieve.  The Jungle, newly transferred to the Playhouse Theatre from the Young Vic maps out the complexities of the European migrant crisis that led to upwards of 8,000 people  living in squalor on a former landfill site.

Sting’s personable journey to stardom, and early years as a kid growing up during major industrial upheaval within his childhood community, are explored in this charming, yet hard hitting, piece of musical theatre. The Last Ship tells a story of financial instability, social turmoil and the question of local identity throughout ever growing change. The musical repertoire blends deep rooted  traditional chanting with a Mumford and Sons folk friendly flavour, with impactful lyrics that set one on a patriotic singalong.

Curated by musician and theatre maker Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers and dance/theatre company co – founder and choreographer Lisa Fa’alafi, Hive City Legacy will boldly take over North London’s Roundhouse with a line up of 9 talented acts of colour. A female led line up, the evening’s aim is to create a ‘fierce and political homeage to London’. Acts range from circus artists to beatboxers, spoken word artists to cabaret performers – showing off the capital’s diverse talent. One of this year’s chosen acts; dancer, choreographer, photographer, videographer, and writer Shakaiah Perez tells us more about her varied career and what to expect from the evening.

The Verity Bargate award winning play – The One, received critical acclaim when it debuted in 2013. Five years later, and Vicky Jones’ debut play about love, lust and destruction returns to Soho Theatre from early July. Taking on the role of Jo, one half of the show’s duo, actress Tuppence Middleton tells us more about how she’s approached the role, what to expect and working alongside fellow actor John Hopkins.

Curated by musician and theatre maker Kim ‘Busty Beatz’ Bowers and dance/theatre company co – founder and choreographer Lisa Fa’alafi, Hive City Legacy will boldly take over North London’s Roundhouse with a line up of 9 talented acts of colour. A female led line up, the evening’s aim is to create a ‘fierce and political homeage to London’. Acts range from circus artists to beatboxers, spoken word artists to cabaret performers – showing off the capital’s diverse talent. One of this year’s chosen acts, singer/songwriter Sherika Sherard has sang with the legendary Seal and also been acknowledged by iconic filmmaker Spike Lee. Sherika tells us more about her music career and what to expect from the evening.

Facing the potential prospect of deportation to an environment once fled in the hope of achieving a better quality of life must be one of the most distressing experiences an individual could go through. To have your concept of ‘home’ shaken by the very land in which you were born in, a devastating reality for many; as is evident with the shocking revalations of the Windrush Scandal. The term ‘home’ although seemingly simple, a complex one. Tolu Agbelusi’s Ilè La Wá delves into this multifaceted term, drawing out underrepresented crucial conversations that currently echo within the macrocosm.