At the heart of Sabrina Mahfouz’s captivating 70-minute play is Woman (Shakira Newton), a young mum who struggles to navigate the intricate maze of her life, analysing the many obscure details of her meticulous and highly organised neurodivergent mind to find a way to make her four year old son proud.
Her ultimate goal is simple yet profound: to secure a job at Argos and to achieve that, she engages the help of her trusted imaginary friends, Archives (Jess Gough) and Argos (Eleanor Nawal). Archives serves as her memory bank, holding onto even the most obscure details, while Argos helps her decode the world around her, explaining and reasoning through complex social situations to help her navigate them more effectively.
The play explores themes of resilience, societal expectations, and the often-overlooked strengths and weaknesses of neurodivergent individuals. Woman brings out in the open memories of bullying, an assault, the many systemic failures that have overlooked her talents and ideas. With the help of her imaginary friends and determined to find a way forward she channels her passion and intelligence to pursue not just a job but also to make friends and build a community around her and her son.
There is great chemistry between the cast as they deliver their lines, a seamless interplay peppered with nostalgia. From Greek myths to chart toppers and best selling products in the Argos catalogue , they are all defining moments in Woman’s life. We loved how the use of mild humour, and the references to Skaletrix, Tamagotchi and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” help to add warmth and hope, making the story relatable.
And just as the play comes to its ending, as Woman has to dash to pick up the little one from school, she gives a short plea, a quick and to the point answer to anyone who may consider giving her a job, or making her a friend. She also shows the audience how to use the catalogue (or any book) to find answers to life’s challenging questions. It is a positive ending. It is uplifting and it carries a healthy message of hope and understanding.
Argos Archives is at the Omnibus Theatre until 15 March 2025. Tickets from £16. Full information and booking here. The play’s design accommodates neurodivergent audiences by creating a relaxed theatre-going experience. Audience members are encouraged to move around, leave, and return as needed making the space more welcoming.
For more ideas of things to do in London for young families, please visit our What’s on or Theatre & Dance pages. We also have a long list of family-friendly things to do this February.