Struggling actor David can’t get enough, of anything. Alcohol, drugs, women, gambling – whatever it takes to escape the bark of the black dog. Bouncing from audition to audition as he battles his debilitating mental health issues and descends into a world of addiction, he is consumed by an overwhelming feeling of never belonging anywhere. Days and nights are lived through a thick haze of drugs, alcohol and Shakespeare’s soliloquies. This bender could be his last, but he doesn’t care – there are worse things than death.

Then David is thrown an unlikely lifeline. Finding himself in the mountains of South-East Asia he is offered a chance at redemption – but he will need to confront his inner demons, traumas and secrets long buried.

A powerful work embracing human complexity Breaking The Castle traverses mental illness, addiction, and recovery. Inspired by true events in the life of the playwright, this visceral, fierce, funny, and uplifting tale features a “tour de force” performance from creator Peter Cook as a man yearning for connection.

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 and 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.

In its writing, performance, and production, this is an ode to the theatre and underscores the importance the arts play in overcoming tragedy. It is a comedy-drama about a human being human, resonating with audiences from all backgrounds as it cuts across race, gender and class.