REVIEW: CASTLES by Dan Blick, Telos Ensemble at Drayton Arms 7 – 11 October 2025

‘Charming in its honesty, a romance that doesn’t shy away from the tentative uncertainty of those early weeks.’ ★★★

A pleasing and refreshing vulnerability underpins Telos Ensembles’ Castles, written by Dan Blick, who also stars. The romantic highs and lows of Rain (Antonia Reinisch) and Johnny’s (Dan Blick) tumultuous relationship are laid bare. The story begins with the early days and follows them both through Rain’s weed addiction, Johnny’s financial struggles, pregnancy scares and Rain’s ultimate career move to shiny New York. The show plays with monologues and style, opening with a voiceover from the female lead as Johnny lies in bed. It’s as if he is replaying conversations in his head, as they plague him from every corner of the stage. There is a gentle awkwardness between the two – charming in its honesty – and it is refreshing to see a romance that doesn’t shy away from the tentative, tiptoeing uncertainty of those early weeks.

However, Blick’s script relies too often on clichés, and it’s a shame that certain plot points feel underdeveloped. Where it excels in stripping away emotional barriers – particularly the scenes that focus on toxic masculinity – it also seems to reinforce the same stereotypes it seeks to critique. At times, the writing lacks nuance, and audience laughter occasionally feels forced. Neither character is especially likeable, and I would have liked to see more of the romance and fewer harsh, argumentative scenes. The romantic scenes were touching and raw, and so it is unfortunate there are not more of them; the relationship deteriorates before we can decide whose side we are on. That said, Blick succeeds in making the break-up feel authentic, allowing us to discover the irritating aspects of each character in real time.

The set was cleverly orchestrated. On first inspection, it felt spread out, but as the relationship began to suffocate both players, it seemed to close in. Scene changes and lighting were smoothly executed. The space convincingly evoked a cluttered London flat or ‘apartment’ as both kept saying. This may have been a nod to the company’s New York base, but it felt like a jarring Americanism when delivered by a character otherwise reminiscent of a bumbling Hugh Grant-esque Englishman. Antonia Reinisch’s performance was strong, and her monologues were moving, delivered in a way that rarely felt overly expositional. Blick’s strength was in his delivery of the more touching scenes, which carried much of the weight of the story. There was an honest intimacy between the two, which felt believable and compelling to watch. A tale as old as time, Telos Ensemble’s Castles may not have been the first story to write of a break-up between two flawed individuals, but it’s an entertaining story, nonetheless.

TELOS Ensemble

Presents

CASTLES

DRAYTON ARMS THEATRE

7 – 11 OCTOBER 2025

BOX OFFICE

https://www.thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk/castles