London International Mime Festival 2023

Every winter in January or February, the London International Mime Festival (LIMF) showcased art, new circus, object and physical theatre, and other modern theatre genres at various venues across the city. Founded in 1977 by Joseph Seelig and Nola Rae, it became the longest-running mime festival in the world. Its directors were recipients of the International Theatre Institute Award for Excellence. The festival held its final edition in 2023.

Festival Highlights

The London International Mime Festival focused on physical and visual theatre, consistently pushing boundaries. Every year, it kicked off with a dynamic lineup of award-winning new circus and performance art. Most acts were wordless, defying traditional categorization. The festival also featured dance, acrobatics, and puppet theatre. Curated shows were always inventive and exciting.

Past Participants

The highlights of the previous years were UK's Barely Methodical Troupe with a spectacular acrobatic Shift at the Platform Theatre, Gandini Juggling & Alexander Whitley, Thick & Tight Delight, Stan's Cafe and Theatre Re. The festival featured companies from Belgium, France, Norway, Spain, New Zealand, and Finland.

History & Final Edition

Established in 1977 at the Cockpit Theatre as a one-time event showcasing British mimes, clowns, and visual theatre artists, it quickly expanded in scale, quality, and reputation. From its humble beginnings in a single theatre, the festival ultimately spanned more than thirty London venues, including the Tate Modern, Barbican, Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, and Southbank Centre. Over its 47-year run, the festival presented nearly 800 productions, with 2023 marking its final edition.

Starting in January 2024, LIMF's two directors are launching a legacy program, MimeLondon, in collaboration with several London venues. This initiative aims to uphold the legacy of international visual theatre across London and the UK.