Castles at Drayton Arms Theatre

Castles is a play about individual self-discovery through the lens of a romantic relationship. The

play begins with Jonny and Rain as they embark on their romantic journey, following them as

they navigate their insecurities, past traumas and attempts to understand one another. Castles

aims to illustrate the manner in which romantic relationships deeply affect and inform our

behaviour, whilst exploring the nuances of vulnerability, compatibility and the possibility for true

intimacy. When Rain and Jonny make a pact of commitment to one another, they naturally open

themselves to the possibility of heartbreak. Their inability to accept one another for who they

truly are - warts and all - leads to inevitable conflict and resentments that test their capacity to

give and receive love, or rather their individual understandings of what ‘love’ is and how it

should manifest. In a world in which connection is available to us through the mere click of a

button, jealousy within relationships is more present than ever.

Castles is written by Dan Blick - whose previous works as a writer include Lake George, Telos

and Akrasia - and is produced by Telos Ensemble, a production company founded by Mitchell

Pope and Dan Blick in 2023. Telos Ensemble’s theatrical productions have had multiple

Off-Broadway runs in New York, and their first feature film - Black Lake - is set for release in

2026. Telos Ensemble’s most recent UK event was the London edition of their bimonthly

Purgatory reading series in April 2025 at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, marking its

international debut following three sold out events in New York. Castles at the Drayton Arms

Theatre is Telos Ensemble’s first week-long run of a theatrical production in London; featuring

Antonia Reinisch (Die Nichte des Polizisten & Fiancé) as Rain and Dan Blick as Jonny. Telos

Ensemble is particularly interested in work that explores moral dilemmas, with a focus on the

fallibility of human nature and how this manifests in everyday environments and experiences.