The latest in 1623 Theatre’s Shake Up series of short videos on identity and social justice created by artists from marginalised communities is Beyond the Castle Walls, written and performed by Kate Cavill.
Cavill is “a physically disabled actor/singer/writer, originally from the East London/Essex borders, now living in Colchester.” In her play, she finds an old letter in her house from someone who seeks a friend.
On meeting her, we find it is Ophelia, and the two form a friendship that moves beyond language, prejudice, or the times in which they live.
Ophelia is as isolated by her gender norms and expectations as Kate is by her disability and what people assume she can and can not do.
This a delightful and thoughtful text in which Cavill plays both parts, and it forms a quietly subversive conversation on constraints enforced by society and how that can resonate between two women over a century apart.
There are just two settings in this 16-minute piece, Kate’s bedroom and the garden of Ophelia’s castle. Kate’s “wheeled chair” represents a freedom Ophelia doesn’t have in a world that requires chaperones.
Beyond the Castle Walls is one of eight films in this project, all available for free on 1623 Theatre’s YouTube channel in both audio described and captioned formats.
***.5
The others are:
Shakesqueer by Edalia Day
The Question by Damien James
Shakespeare on Shelford Road by Karen Spicer
Here / There by JD Stewart
Samlet by Sam Beckett Jr
Speak Of Me As I Am by Sahara Khan
Shylock by Benjamin Victor