REVIEW: Breaking The Castle
There are no dazzling sets or colourful costumes in Breaking The Castle. No orchestrated music, large ensemble cast nor a Broadway spectacular high budget price tag. However, this one-man production may be the most significant theatre production that audiences are ever likely to experience.
This is the brutally honest account of one man’s dependence and abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol. David is in his 30s and will try anything unorthodox to escape reality. Death doesn’t scare him – in his mind it could very well be the better alternative than fighting his inner demons every waking moment.
But what leads a good-looking young man to such low depths? Is living life to the fullest not the only option? Hope for new beginnings and redemption are at hand but can he rediscover himself when offered a chance at redemption in a rehabilitation clinic in South-East Asia?
All the events that may have led to this man’s downfall from childhood onwards are explored. A death in the family, a loveless upbringing and child abuse – could these and other issues be the reason why he cannot connect to life? Is he simply a starry eyed out of work actor misunderstood and blamed by society for his own misfortunes and torturous downward slide?
This incredibly riveting and affective theatre serves as a cautionary tale. It takes a long hard look at this man in question and inspires hope and the possibility of a long-term recovery.
Gritty, heartfelt, and funny at times, Breaking The Castle is written by Peter Cook who also delivers a hauntingly realistic performance as David. The comedic elements are mandatory and a welcomed relief from the morbid themes and the explosion of emotions that intermittently erupt on stage.
This is an excellent theatre going experience for all mature audiences and should be seen by older impressionable school children who could be at risk of experimenting with illicit substances.
