Review: Guidelines (New Diorama Theatre)

Review by Heva Kelly

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Have you ever spent so long scrolling on your phone, that you feel like it becomes a part of you, or you a part of it, like your mind is somehow being welded into the online world? It can feel like one bombardment after the other, another message, another opinion, another horrendous news story. We undoubtedly live in a disconcerting online age, but does this production reflect that, leaving us hooked searching for more, or is it easy to put the phone down on this one and look away?

Guidelines at New Diorama Theatre is the debut show from CONGLOMERATE, exploring our online world with rising ferocity. We feel completely engulfed in this version of the internet, being thrown directly into the beating heart of a search engine embodied by Rachel-Leah Hosker and Alex McCauley. In the same intriguing way as done by Lemony Snicket, we feel warned from the start to not expect an easy road ahead, and whilst this is true, and dark themes are very prevalent, there is also a perfect balance of comedy to ease your pulse in this cryptic creation.

Not necessarily for the faint hearted (with references to triggering themes), this is a show that is daring, bold and inventive, for those who are prepared for it. Guidelines takes place in the deep dark woods of internet culture and mimics what it feels like to be lost in its search engine, with that all-consuming impulse to keep delving deeper. This strange and weird depiction of scrolling through ‘brain rot’ leads us to the parts of the internet where adults are afraid of the things they cannot understand, as they become teenage trends. Pip Williams’ writing is a standout feature from the very start, with a swelling of auditory tension, and his words laid bare to engulf the audience. Williams’ writing is a blend of enchantment and intrigue, that strays from the stereotypes of traditional storytelling and personifies the complexity and disjuncture of the online world that is constantly growing and changing. I can imagine Williams’ work to be one to watch, a recognisably distinct tone that feels fearless and thought-provoking. 

“Why should I see something that might make me uncomfortable?” I hear you say. A potentially valid response, and perhaps one of the productions' slight spaces for improvement. For those of us that love the creepy, the peculiar and the dystopian, in my mind, it’s an answer of “why not?”. For myself, with a growing feeling of anxiety every time I’m on Instagram or watching news stories, I found resonance with this production as an exploration that allows you to face these feelings head on rather than trying to ignore its true hold on us, as we are forced to do in everyday life. 

However, I can imagine for those less eager to face the abstract, that this shows ‘purpose’ could potentially feel uncertain. There is perhaps room for this production to delve deeper into the ‘why’ they want us to be so uncomfortable and really hammer home the importance of doing so in the overall takeaway message. Thought-provoking as the writing is, perhaps some of us may benefit with a little more guidance as to the reason behind our disturbing tour of the internet’s vast vacuum. On the other hand, for those enthusiastic to delve in and be on board just for its ‘freakiness’- like a black mirror episode - there is just something so enthralling about a ritual such as dark reckoning, and that is exactly what CONGLOMERATE have executed so well when exploring our shadowy cyber other-half.

Another standout feature of this production are the performances from Rachel Leah-Hosker and Alexandria McCauley’s. Making up an iconic duo, with charisma, intensity and robotic-like timing perfection, they jump between characters, time, the online universe, and real-world settings, to give us a sharply powerful duet. Working with not much more than two microphones, we are addicted to their skin-tight executions, fast paced movements, and emotional flexibility – that truly never misses a beat.

Similarly, James Nash’s direction is vibrant and detailed. Nash who advocates to make theatre that prioritises atmosphere provides proof of this goal with Guidelines’s hauntingly needle tight vision. A welcome breeze of fresh air, as Nash pulls together the abnormal in a production that goes beyond traditional practices and really invites us to be a part of its abstract digital realm. 

Producer Moya Matthews, and all the creative team behind this production, have executed this piece of experimental theatre with flair and originality. It is not surprising to see this work taking its form at the New Diorama Theatre, as it appears to be a perfect fit for this outstanding creative space. A particular appreciation must be given to NDT who focus on supporting artists to make bold and daring new work, showing how they remain a crucial part of the UK Theatre scene by making a home for UK independent theatre companies like the new and exciting CONGLOMERATE. 

All in all, CONGLOMERATE have brought their debut show in with a bang. My guidance is to check the trigger warnings, but if you’re ready to settle for the unsettling then you’ll be eagerly swept into this production's virtual mist. With a standout acting duo, and a team of creatives behind it that know how to create a haunting and gripping atmosphere, this is your moment to creep into the dark woods of our internet and face cyberspace head on, questioning all the way, what it really means to be lost in the electronic nightmare we all begrudgingly continue be addicted to.

Guidelines plays at New Diorama Theatre until 14th February. Tickets from https://newdiorama.com/whats-on/guidelines

Photo by Clémence Rebourg