Masked Up Theatre
Masking

Current Production: 1533 Days

Sometimes You Have to Look Back to Move Forward

Charlie Baxter has been sick for fifteen-hundred-and-thirty-three days. He’s not keeping count, but someone has to, so he checks occasionally. When he can remember the date he got sick to begin with.

Shut out from the rest of the world and with nothing to do but wait for something to change, Charlie uses what little energy they have left to think their way through a history of lifetimes touched by illness and grief that never truly goes away. People who have been sick and lived to tell the tale, but rarely had it told. People who have long-since been forgotten because they fall into the chasm between recovery and death.

Charlie is determined not to forget them, because if he forgets them, what happens to him?

From chronically ill, soon-to-be-ex actor Aspen Samuel, comes a theatrical exploration of what it means to be unwell, how to pursue your dreams when trapped, and what it means to be hopeful.

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Rehearsal Photos

A black and white photo of Aspen holding a crochet hook, eyes closed.
Aspen, a white masc person in a white face mask and blue beanie, sits crocheting on the bed.
Aspen stares upwards.
Aspen, a white masc person in a white face mask reads from some paper on their bed, moving their hands about.
Aspen, wearing a black hoodie, white mask and yellow beanie, looking off camera and holding up their hands below their chin to illustrate the mask.
A black and white photo of aspen from the side, looking forward.v
Aspen sat looking down at their script.
Aspen sat looking up, hands moving as they speak.

Cast and Crew

Aspen, a white masc person, in a dark red shirt and a white face mask.
Aspen Samuel (they/he) | Writer, Director, Charlie

Aspen has been performing and writing for the best part of a decade, and this is likely to be his last live performance before he heads off to pursue a Masters and Doctorate. He has loved every second of it, but between worsening health and the rampant increase in COVID denialism, he has decided to part ways with it for the moment.

Eli, a white androgynous person with brown hair in a blue shirt.
Eli Stevenson (they/them) | Raphe

Eli is a third year theatre student, the previously studied acting at college. They have a passion for making theatre more accessible and are really happy that they got asked to help with this project.

Evan, a white masc person with dark red hair and a lip ring.
Evan Amery (he/him) | Norman

Evan Amery is currently training at UCSE for his BA (Hons) in Performance. He recently directed a stage play and is now working as a Practitioner and Writer on a devised project, alongside an acting role in a collaboration between UCSE and Teatro dei Borgia. Outside of performance, Evan is a Poet and Photographer.

Quinn, a white androgynous person in a green jumper with brown hair, smiling at the camera.
Quinn Collins (they/he) | Col

Quinn is currently studying World Performance at East 15, and aspires to create a queer-owned theatre company, aiming to take their own work to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are taking part in East 15’s devising festival as part of 3 stage shows and a short film.

And an additional thank you to my partner, Obie, for providing about two thirds of the props, talking me through every panic I had, and accepting the fact he willingly got into a relationship with a theatre kid.

Can’t Make it to the Show in Person?

If you can’t make it to the show in person, do not worry! Both performances will be livestreamed so that you can also watch it from the comfort of your own home.

If you are interested, please sign up to the mailing list HERE.