Autistic artist Alfie Murphy (Cian Binchy) enters the theatre dressed as an usher for The Lowry conducting a vox pop to determine how patrons have travelled to the venue and their favourite songs. But this is a mask intended to conceal his true identity or nature. ‘Masking’—a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or unconsciously, to blend in and be more accepted in society is a major theme of A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy.
Alfie, former member of rock group the Camden Stones, moved on to become a guru, is now planning to write his autobiography to make sure society knows his version of events. But Alfie is distracted, constantly checking out the features of the room—walls, ceiling and so on—as if to reassure himself he is in a familiar, safe space. Perhaps the events Alfie recalls are part of the mask he wants to present to the world.
Nick Llewellyn, director and co-creator with Binchy, sets a slick production. Verity Quinn’s stage set, lush, relaxing pale blue curtains surrounding a raised platform with neon signs prompting applause, is a luxurious TV studio. Certain audience members are primed with replies to make to questions from Binchy and their responses reverberate through the production and provide the concluding punchline.
Yet Llewellyn does not put the audience at ease. The programme indicates the target audience is learning disabled and autistic individuals. There is a strong educational aspect; a lengthy speech towards the end explains the concept of ‘masking’ in case it has not become apparent by that point. The subject matter and the fact performances are ‘relaxed’ suggests the show may be intended to give young autistic people a non-intimidating introduction to theatre.
But an average theatre audience is unsure how to react. There are obvious jokes: devising performer Anna Constable plays the ghostwriter of Alfie’s autobiography as a literal ghost—wearing a white sheet with eyeholes. However, as the audience is given no obvious prompts, no-one feels comfortable laughing. The relaxed atmosphere inevitably means at times the production feels slow, so efforts by Binchy and Constable to warm up the audience are not always successful. It is unclear if the way in which Alfie demeans himself to drum up interest in his autobiography is intended to be comedic or to evoke pity.
The leisurely pace allows time to pick holes in the plot. A lot of people are involved in the production—two pairs of creators and writers—which may account for occasional puzzling aspects. In the 1970s, one might accept Alfie moving from rock stardom to become a spiritual guide, but in the present day, a new career on the Internet or marketing cosmetics seems more likely.
A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy might benefit from some tightening up to widen its appeal to a general audience.