Press Release:
Riverside Theatres presents The Street Theatre’s Breaking the Castle, a transformative one- man play examining issues of childhood trauma, addiction, and the winding road to recovery, from Thursday 7th April to Saturday 9th April.
Following two critically acclaimed seasons (The Street Theatre 2020, The Hothouse Theatre 2021), Breaking the Castle depicts the story of David, a struggling actor trying to find his way in this world, bouncing from audition to audition, battling severe mental health issues and slowly descending into the hell of addiction. It is not until David is thrown an unlikely lifeline, in the form of a rehab in the mountains of South-East Asia that he is offered a chance at redemption – but he will need to confront his inner demons, traumas and secrets long buried.
Peter Cook, creator and performer says “Breaking the Castle is in many ways my story, but it is also the story of all the addicts I have met along the way (as our causes and symptoms are universal) from the streets of Kings Cross to the five-star rehabilitation centre in Thailand.” “The play sounds a bit bleak, and in parts it is. It was meant to be real and challenging and to ask questions of the audience. But it’s also funny as hell and full of optimism. We need a story of hope and triumph, and that is what Breaking the Castle is. A story, filled with humour, about how we, as humans can overcome insurmountable odds.”
Visceral, fierce, funny and uplifting, Breaking the Castle features a gripping performance from Cook (ABC’s Total Control, Channel 7’s Home and Away, Bell Shakespeare’s Anatomy Titus Fall of Rome, Queensland Theatre’s The Removalists) of a man yearning for connection.
Directed by Caroline Stacey with The Street’s award-winning creative team this is an exquisitely rendered story of hope, belonging, and finding a way to be in this world.
P
eter Cook will be hosting a post-show Q&A on Saturday 9 April 4:15pm.
What: Breaking the Castle
When: Thursday 7th April – Saturday 9th April 2022 at 8pm
1 hour and 30 minutes with no interval
Where: Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market St, Parramatta
Tickets: Adults $49, Concession $45, 30 & Under $39, 18 & Under $34, Groups 8+ $45, School Groups/ Teachers $23. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fee $4.60. Bookings via https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/breaking-the-castle/, phone at
(02) 8839 3399, or Box Office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9:30am – 1pm and one hour prior to performance.
Performance Warning:
This production contains coarse language, drug references, and mature themes and smoke haze and is recommended for ages 15+.
