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The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 4 Published: 9 Mar 2026 New Diorama Theatre Show Dates: 3 Mar 2026-24 Mar 2026

The New Diorama Theatre is currently hosting what is described as “an absurdist descent into the paradox of modern life”. It comes in the form of The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin, a world premiere from migrant-led experimental theatre company TG WORKS.

It is mad, overstated, chaotic and enthusiastically energetic, but not silly or stupid.

They provide helpful information about the play, which is useful in concisely describing what might otherwise prove elusive. The play “combines fractured narratives, physical theatre, and multimedia design to create an urgent interrogation of guilt, responsibility, and moral decay in an age where we confess to algorithms instead of each other”. This has to be understood in the context of a company that “champions experimentation where content dictates form and form is constantly questioned, disrupted, and reshaped, creating work that reflects a turbulent world and asks what theatre can – and must – be today”.

The company is led by Lecoq and RADA trained artist Tommaso Giacomin, whose style is to work “through collaborative and highly physical processes” that blend “new writing, fractured narratives and multimedia elements to create bold, urgent work that interrogates contemporary socio-political realities”.

In academic terms that work exists in the realms of existentialist European experimental theatre and theatre of the absurd. Don’t imagine for one moment, however, that this is something in the order of Pinter or Beckett. Rather it is the realm of what might be called “bonkers theatre”. It is mad, overstated, chaotic and enthusiastically energetic, but not silly or stupid. It is also visually exciting in terms of set, costumes and lighting. There is an abundance of sound and visuals, including a projected transcript of an AI interrogation and a full-scale dance routine, brilliantly choreographed and executed. A red chair drops from the ceiling and an enormous red plastic armchair is pumped to life and treated rather like a bouncy castle.

Amid all this there is a storyline – somewhere. The title might suggest that it revolves around the tragic case of Alec Baldwin, who accidentally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. There are times when the AI therapist seems to think this too. But there is another Alec Baldwin who has done something he truly, deeply regrets. We assume that, with no one else to turn to, he spends his days outpouring his guilt to a chatbot, even though it was not his fault.

James Aldred gives a heartfelt, commanding performance as the eponymous hero, grappling with self-inflicted nausea and an overwhelming digital world of multiple outputs all screaming at the same time, with Stefanie Bruckner wildly playing the crazed victim of the incident. Meanwhile Bartel Jespers, in a blue shellsuit, captivatingly traverses the stage with a “Henry” vacuum cleaner, and Mathias Augestad Ambjør wanders around in white pants and vest sporting a giant smiling piñata headpiece to comic effect. Much of this is captured on a roving camera by Manuela Pierri and relayed on to the back wall. All combine in a kaleidoscopic frenzy of modern life that ultimately leads to a psychological breaking point.

Two culminating monologues seem strangely out of place amid the mayhem. The first makes some significant points and offers a fine ending, but another follows that could easily be discarded. Is the production as cohesive as the company suggests? Probably not. Is it a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining romp? Yes.

Amir Nisi

Richard Beck

A graduate in theology and education, Richard acted and contributed to dance, drama and music productions throughout his teaching career. He joined Broadway Baby in 2014 and is now our Editor-in-Chief. He usually disappears to warmer climes for the winter to pursue his passion for travel.

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The Blurb:

“Alec, can I ask you a question? And please be honest about it. Have you ever felt the urge to lash out? Anger rising up, blood pumping, eyes shut – an uncontainable need to just act?”

Alec has done something he truly, deeply regrets. He spends his days pouring his guilt into an AI chat bot, obsessively unravelling the consequences of his actions. It was not his fault. Yet why does it feel like it was?

A rotten stench invades his flat: toxic algae climbing the walls, crude oil climbing his throat. He wants to vomit, he wants to purge, he wants to expel this disgusting substance out. A looming presence lurks in the corner of his living room. Staring at him. Smiling. Spreading. Something Alec can no longer ignore.

The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin is an absurdist, existential examination of the psychological and physical unravelling of Alec Baldwin – not the real one – as he grapples with a pervasive sense of nausea towards himself and the desensitised digital society he inhabits. Marinating in the violence, complicity, and paradox of modern life, this is a psychedelic multimedia romp into the psyche of a human pushed past breaking point.

A world premiere from TG WORKS.

“Alec, can I ask you a question? And please be honest about it. Have you ever felt the urge to lash out? Anger rising up, blood pumping, eyes shut – an uncontainable need to just act?”

Alec has done something he truly, deeply regrets. He spends his days pouring his guilt into an AI chat bot, obsessively unravelling the consequences of his actions. It was not his fault. Yet why does it feel like it was? Alec has done something he truly, deeply regrets. He spends his days pouring his guilt into an AI chat bot, obsessively unravelling the co sequences of his actions. It was not his fault. Yet why does it feel like it was?

A rotten stench invades his flat: toxic algae climbing the walls, crude oil climbing his throat. He wants to vomit, he wants to purge, he wants to expel this disgusting substance out. A looming presence lurks in the corner of his living room. Staring at him. Smiling. Spreading. Something Alec can no longer ignore.

The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin is an absurdist, existential examination of the psychological and physical unravelling of Alec Baldwin – not the real one – as he grapples with a pervasive sense of nausea towards himself and the desensitised digital society he inhabits. Marinating in the violence, complicity, and paradox of modern life, this is a psychedelic multimedia romp into the psyche of a human pushed past breaking point.

A world premiere from TG WORKS.

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