Breaking The Castle
by Peter Cook
“This extraordinary piece of writing is brought vividly to life in a one-man show”
“A story that humanizes people who have fallen through the cracks”
“I left the theatre devasted but utterly inspired by such a heartfelt, inspiring and touching story”
“This is not only a very good play, beautifully conceived, written and delivered, but it sends a strong message of hope, as well as a need for better understanding”
“This is an important piece of theatre which finely balances despair with hope and humour. Cook’s performance is spectacular…You will leave the theatre reflecting on how you see the world and the people who may be struggling within it.”
Peter Cook plays Dave, a down-on-his-luck actor whose drug abuse and disintegrating mental health issues are front and central... What makes this an unforgettable experience is that through the power of Cook’s writing and acting we get to be on the inside of the trauma and struggles
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Breaking The Castle is a true story of addiction brought movingly to life in a hilarious, uplifting and poignant one-man show. Writer and performer Pete Cook draws from his own life experiences in this
tour-de-force tale of a struggling actor who can’t get enough – of anything – illuminating the broader struggles of those who live on the edges, and the inequalities in the addiction and recovery cycle.
In Sydney, jobbing actor David can’t seem to get enough alcohol, drugs, women, gambling – whatever it takes to escape his overwhelming fear of not belonging anywhere. David bounces from audition to audition battling his mental health issues and descending into a world of addiction; his days and nights spent in a haze of drugs, alcohol, and Shakespeare soliloquies. Each bender could be his last, but there are worse things than death. Away from the notorious streets of Sydney’s King Cross, David is thrown a lifeline in the mountains of South-East Asia. David is offered a chance at redemption, but he will need to confront his inner demons, trauma and long-buried secrets.
Breaking The Castle is a work of compassion, drawing on Cook’s own experiences for a gripping tale of undeniable authenticity. This visceral, funny and inspiring production cuts across class, gender and race, getting to the heart of human complexity in a story that people across the world can relate to, no matter their background.
Breaking The Castle is brought to the stage by creator and performer Pete Cook, and directed by Leah Purcell, producer Liza McLean, lighting designer Matt Cox and associate director Bridget Boyle.