Despite its prevalence in society substance abuse seldom makes for good drama.
The same could be said for first time auto-biographical scripts, but actor Peter Cook has proven the exception with Breaking the Castle, his first-hand account of his descent into addiction and his long and hard climb out of it.
With sell-out shows in Albury-Wodonga, the Edinburgh Fringe and now the Sydney Opera House, Cook has turned this old trope on its head.
Before Cook began revealing his earlier years living from one ice pipe to the next on the streets of Kings Cross, he was known for his work on Home and Away, Redfern Now and the stage plays The Removalist and Anatomy of Titus Fall of Rome, among many other roles.
Adopting the persona of David, Cook’s acute observation of this life, the characters and their language immediately sets this play apart from the usual telling of this milieu who are hellbent on a race to the bottom while making feeble attempts at maintaining a normality in chaos.
How Cook gets out of this and to rehab in Thailand is due in part to an ex-addict’s faith that he can make it – but we all have our doubts when he finally gets there.
On the first day of registration Cook encounters an un-united nations of addicts, many of whom he mimics for comic effect.
His one constant contact is his recovery mentor with whom he has a fractious relationship. As Cook ponders how and why he got there, he reminisces on his previous life as a jobbing actor, with the audition for a Mortein ad showing a depth of stage skills, including impeccable comic timing and physicality.
Breaking the Castle: prospect of redemption
Another standout moment is when he recounts his family’s career prospects for him as a horse race caller, all the while as the lure of addiction keeps tugging in the background.
Throughout this 85-minute play Cook keeps seeing humanity and the prospect of redemption in everyone around him Another standout moment is when he recounts his family’s career prospects for him as a horse race – and now his task is to find it in himself.
How he achieves this shows how powerful addictions are and the inner strength required to overcome them.
A little faith from good people also goes a long way.
Read: Plied and Prejudice review: Austen thrills His Majesty’s Theatre, WA
Throughout Breaking the Castle Cook maintains a solid sense of humour, usually at his own expense, which also helps the production from falling into the worthy category, while showing that there can be light at the end of the tunnel. It’s up to you to find it.
This is an exhilarating production that also serves to remind us that addiction can happen to anyone.
Breaking the Castle, written and performed by Peter Cook, is a co-production with Queensland company Cluster Arts and will be performed at The Studio at the Sydney Opera House until 26 July 2025.
Also on ArtsHub:
Plied and Prejudice review: Austen thrills His Majesty’s Theatre, WA
If you’ve ever longed to take a turn about the room with Mr Darcy, here’s your chance. From the moment you arrive downstairs at the Maj, you will feel transported and not just because of the Regency-themed photo wall and extensive aesthetic collaboration with the venue.
Arriving early will grant you physical entry into Jane Austen’s world – and Mr Darcy’s room – in addition to providing ample opportunity to get plied (and possibly prejudiced) before the show begins. Read more…
