Breaking The Castle
by Peter Cook
★★★★★
“A show that has the power to teach and inspire, as it has profoundly affected me and transformed the way I see others.”
– THREE WEEKS, EDINBURGH
★★★★★
“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”
– ARTS HUB
★★★★★
“Words are fickle when you are trying to describe something like
Breaking The Castle….A rare production that never lets you go”
– THE NEW CURRENT, LONDON
★★★★★
“Breaking the Castle really does break down the walls and stigma around rehab and recovery and addiction…An absolute gem of a show, it becomes a tear-jerker tale of overcoming addiction, second chances and not giving up.”
– ADVENTURES IN THEATRELAND, LONDON
A hilarious, heartfelt true story of human resilience
Breaking the Castle follows the story of David, a struggling actor whose life is a
chaotic blend of substance abuse, Shakespearean soliloquies, failed auditions, and
debilitating mental health.
David takes himself to the brink, until an unlikely lifeline offers hope in the mountains of South-East Asia. Inspired by true events in the life of the playwright, this visceral, fierce, funny, and uplifting tale features a “tour de force” performance from writer and performer Peter Cook as a man yearning for connection.
This is not your average tale of addiction. It’s a razor-sharp, darkly comic ride through one man’s chaos, full of warmth, laughter, and surprising hope.
Think Trainspotting meets Fleabag-raw, real, and unexpectedly hilarious, with a huge heart that will have you leaving the theatre feeling inspired and uplifted.
Through the story of one man, the work illuminates the broader struggles of those who live on the edges, and the inequalities in the addiction- recovery cycle in Australia. It highlights the need for men to allow themselves to be vulnerable and seek help when they need it, it celebrates the ability of the human spirit to prevail through the darkest of journeys and is ultimately an uplifting story of redemption.
A dark comedy embracing human complexity it has resonated with audiences from all over the world, gaining critical acclaim in London and Edinburgh. In its writing, performance, and production, this is an ode to the theatre and underscores the importance the arts play in overcoming tragedy.