Nation (presented by YESYESNONO)

Nation runs at the Studio Theatre from Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 November, presented by YESYESNONO. It's a dark, brutal fable about the political power of stories, written and performed by Sam Ward.

Ward does both the writing and the performing, so the whole thing comes from one voice. The description doesn't give away the plot, but the focus is on how stories can be used as tools of political power—the kind of thing that stays with you long after you've left the theatre. It's a short run, only three nights, so you'll have to pick your evening early.

The Studio Theatre is part of the Brighton Dome, which sits on the Royal Pavilion Estate. The Dome is a creative charity that runs a year-round programme of music, comedy, theatre, dance, literature, conferences and events across the Concert Hall, the Corn Exchange and the Studio Theatre. It's also home to Create Music, which brings music education to children across Sussex. The winter programme leads up to Brighton Festival later in the spring.

The Studio Theatre itself was recently restored by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios for Brighton & Hove City Council, a project that won a RIBA South East Award 2025 and Client of the Year 2025. The restoration covered two listed buildings: the Regency-period Corn Exchange (Grade I), built in 1806 as the Prince Regent's riding school, and the 1930s Studio Theatre (Grade II, listed as the Pavilion Theatre and Booking Office). The Studio Theatre was reconfigured with new balcony seating, its own lift and staircase, and a street-facing ground-floor restaurant. Tickets start from £12.