Londoners, London’s vibrant performing arts scene is set for a seismic jolt this July as the acclaimed, New York-based collective Nature Theater of Oklahoma makes its long-anticipated London debut. Their fiercely original production, No President. A Story Ballet of Enlightenment in Two Immoral Acts, will take centre stage at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July, marking its UK premiere.
Celebrated for their genre-defying approach, Nature Theater of Oklahoma—helmed by visionary directors Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper—has earned international acclaim and multiple awards for pushing the boundaries of contemporary theatre. With No President, the collective delivers a powerful and provocative fusion of ballet, silent film, slapstick, and contemporary dance, all set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker.
The narrative unfolds in a theatre unlike any other: former actors and ex-ballet dancers are locked in a surreal competition to protect a precious curtain. What begins as a contest quickly evolves into a whirlwind of conflict, ultimately giving way to moments of violence, love, hope, and redemption. The production explores the complex intersections of art, politics, and humanity through this kaleidoscopic lens.
No President is a testament to collaborative creativity, produced by Nature Theater of Oklahoma in partnership with Ruhrtriennale and Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus. The production’s ambitious tour is further supported by HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Berlin, and the Fisher Center at Bard’s residency and commissioning program, with generous backing from the Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards.
This UK premiere promises to be one of the summer’s must-see cultural events—an invitation to experience theatre at its most daring, experimental, and thought-provoking.
Performance Dates:
Wednesday 9 – Friday 11 July
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London
For tickets and more information, visit the Southbank Centre website.
No President Photo by Heinrich Brinkmöller-Becker, courtesy of SouthBank Centre
About Author
