The New Diorama presents ‘Guidelines’ by Pip Williams, directed by James Nash. Conglomerate debuts their first show and did not disappoint.
We are met in a forest, overhead voices warn us of what we are in for. Starting as a warm and worried mother but slowly distorting and changing into something sinister. This feeling never quite leaves us, always feeling haunted or watched by something.
This show explores growing up with the internet at your fingertips, the false promises of safety and how we never quite consent for what we are fed on our ‘for you page’. The setting is never quite clear however as we jump through time we meet a series of people who are all aware of ‘the video’. This town is grieving the loss of innocence for not only who were directly involved but for all the children that saw ‘the video’. They question ‘how could someone do that to another person’ but in their horror, cannot take their eyes away from the curiousness of terror. Throughout our 60 minute journey, one character asks ‘would you rather die unknown or be known for killing?’ and for these children, the most terrifying thing they’re learning is being know by thousands is better to be known by a few. Later the same character says ‘in order to know how something works, you must break it’.
The stage is bare and yet these actors fill the room with imagery far greater than any prop could. I understood this complex world without seeing any of it. This is a masterclass in bold and abstract theatre, it completely wild and creepy but I desperately wanted more.
The collaboration between sound and lights was outstanding, a very complicated set and yet every queue was perfect. Conglomerate aims to create multi- disciplinary experience which they did beyond no doubt.
This is a company to watch! Prepare to be moved, scared and haunted on the way home.
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 6th February 2026
North West End UK Rating: