I was lucky enough to catch Castles at the Drayton Arms Theatre a tender and thought-provoking two-hander about love, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
Written and co-starring Dan Blick, Castles explores personal growth through the lens of a romantic relationship. The play begins with Jonny and Rain meeting at a party, and from there, we follow their journey through the highs and lows of intimacy, insecurity, and emotional healing.
What I really appreciated was Blick’s ambition to create something original and heartfelt. It’s not a flawless production, but it’s certainly an engaging and enjoyable one.
Antonia Reinisch (Rain) and Dan Blick (Jonny) have excellent chemistry on stage. Their natural rapport brings warmth and authenticity to the performance, and the moments of ad-libbing between them add a welcome layer of spontaneity and humour.
I also admired the small but thoughtful details the pre-recorded opening that set the tone beautifully, and “Kevin,” the cuddly toy Jonny gives Rain, which became an unexpectedly meaningful presence throughout the play.
The alternating monologues were another strong element. Each character shares their point of view, and these moments help us understand the emotional undercurrents of their relationship. That said, when the actors spoke in the third person, I felt they could have connected with the audience more directly eye contact in those moments would have made them even more impactful.
There’s plenty of clever foreshadowing woven through the script, and while some beats felt a touch predictable, the writing still managed to provoke reflection on love and the ways people grow both together and apart.
Ultimately, Castles is a thoughtful and intimate play that lingers with you. It’s heartfelt, funny in places, and deeply human. If it returns to London or if you find yourself in New York when it’s next staged it’s definitely worth seeing.