Preview: LIFT Festival 2010

LIFT is an unconventional theatre festival finding new ways of seeing the city through theatre, provoking and engaging diverse audiences along the way. Food Court has set the tone for 2010 - prepare to be challenged - but also, be prepared for some light relief with singing ice cream vans and child hairdressers in Canning Town.

It's the first city-wide festival for 9 years under a new artistic director and it's going off all over the place for 3 weeks. Here's just a smattering of stuff to see:

The Riverside Walk at the National Theatre will be transformed by Life Streaming by Dries Verhoven - a dramatic new work about international aid connecting with actors and artists 8000km away in Sri Lanka. (Mornings - check times - 23 June to 3 July, £10)

Get playful with a Hide and Seek Weekender courtesy of Sandpit at National Theatre (9-11 July, free)

Gob Squad storms the ICA and turns it into their revolutionary HQ (tonight and tomorrow, 7.30pm, £15)

The LIFT lift will be on Silvertown Way, Canning Town with something "pretty amazing" on every day

Not By Bread Alone stars 11 deafblind actors sharing their stories at ArtsDepot and baking bread on stage. Not only can you witness this remarkable production but you can order some bread in sign language in the cafe and take a drink in total darkness at the BlackOut Bar. (4-15 July, £16) Psssst - want to win a pair of tickets to this? Watch out for us on Twitter, @londonist.

Gloves On at the Peacock Gym takes place in a floodlit boxing ring (this Sunday, 5pm, £6)

Aftermath in the Old Vic Tunnels takes an unflinching look at Iraq, based on interviews with people affected by the conflict. (8-17 July, £15)

The LIFT Club is at the ICA throughout the festival with weekly debates, late night cabaret and a chance to look inside the LIFT archives.

LIFT Festival runs 23 June - 18 July: Click for full programme. Follow them on Facebook.