A genuinely funny, engaging and important piece of neurodivergent art
Presented by Access All Areas and The Lowry, A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy, examines neurodivergent struggles with identity and masking- a process in which autistic people suppress themselves and their behaviours to fit into a neurotypical society. The play blends surrealistic moments like Alfie’s (Cian Binchy) transformation from usher to rockstar to guru with more explicit, educational moments like Anna Constable’s touching monologue on the exhausting realities of masking.
The play is bursting with energy and joy, despite the serious subject matters it depicts. Absurdist humour features prominently, with scenes involving cow masks, sharks, and a ghostwriter dressed as a literal ghost. Whilst it is easy to reduce these moments as gimmicky jokes, they are integral to the exploration of Alfie’s struggle with his identity which only becomes more apparent as the narrative unfolds. Audience interaction also runs throughout the piece, not only giving Binchy the opportunity to showcase his improvisational skills, but also pushing the audience into a collective experience, which perfectly suited the studio space. The audience interactions weaves into the narrative in multiple, unique ways which serves as a grounding tool for the audience to follow Alfie’s different personas. This also highlights how thoughtfully crafted the show was—jokes weren’t made solely for quick punchlines. While they were very funny, everything had a purpose within the narrative.
The success of this show stems from its creation by neurodivergent artists, allowing for an authentic portrayal of autism that goes beyond typical narratives of struggle and misery. There is a real celebration of the positives of autism, particularly its connection to fantasy and imagination. This emphasis on the link between neurodivergence and creative intelligence is exemplified by those involved with the production, who demonstrate an immensely bold and original approach to storytelling. The story expertly juggles creative expression and serious discussions of masking, summed up by the questions posed at the end of the play: when is fantasy good? And when is masking helpful? The actors reflect on the complexity of neurodivergent experience without offering any oversimplified or unrealistic solutions; instead they conclude that the answer lies in balance which very cleverly reflects the balanced nature of the narrative.
I also think it is important to highlight the great consideration Access All Areas and The Lowry took when putting accessibility measures in place for the show. Closed captions run throughout, and the performances are ‘relaxed’, removing the traditional expectations of silence and stillness, which creates a more inclusive space for neurodivergent and learning-disabled people to feel comfortable in the theatre. The programmes come in four different formats meaning audience members regardless of their learning style can feel included and informed. There is a real dedication in making the theatre space as inclusive as the content being performed, truly elevating the shows impact.
Ultimately A Small Enclosed Room is an original, interesting look at neurodivergence that strikes a good balance between humour and education. The considered use of props, sound design and incredible stagehands work harmoniously well, never once detracting from the storytelling. Whilst the show is not overly polished, it only adds to its charm and this is a show I’d recommend to anyone, neurodivergent or not.