Olivier Award Winner Jack Lowden will reprise his acclaimed performance in David Ireland’s The Fifth Step and will be joined by BAFTA and SAG Award-Winning Martin Freeman at sohoplace. BOOK TICKETS
Step 1: honesty.
Step 2: faith.
Step 3: surrender.
Step 4: self-examination
After many years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James (Martin Freeman) agrees to become the sponsor of newcomer Luka (Jack Lowden). On the journey to sobriety, the pair bond over black coffee, trade stories, and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences.
On the cusp of Step 5, their conversations must turn to confessionals, with progress hinging on Luka revealing secrets that could lead him back to alcohol. But it’s clear that James also has dangerous truths in his past, truths that threaten the trust on which both their recoveries depend.
Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions and National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) have announced that David Ireland’s acclaimed new play The Fifth Step will transfer to London’s West End for a strictly limited season from 10 May until 26 July 2025.
Originally performed as part of the Edinburgh International Festival 2024, this NTS production has been further developed for its West End premiere and the new opportunities for restaging that @sohoplace offers. Directed by rising star Finn den Hertog, associate artist at NTS, it will be a rare chance to see two of the UK’s most exciting acting talents in the intimacy of the in-the-round space @sohoplace. Jack Lowden reprises his performance as Luka, and Martin Freeman will play the role of James in David Ireland’s funny and unflinchingly honest drama about addiction, masculinity and faith.
Jack Lowden said: “To just be in the room again with David and Finn – two dangerously talented individuals – is a gift in itself. But to now add Martin to the mix, an actor of black belt level skill and a hero of mine, just tops it. I can’t wait for more people to experience The Fifth Step.”
Martin Freeman said: “I’m really looking forward to performing this brilliantly funny, unsettling, unexpected play. David Ireland is something quite special, and Jack Lowden is an actor I have tremendous respect for, and I am looking forward to working with him.”
David Ireland said: “I’m really happy that The Fifth Step is coming to the West End. Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman are, for my money, two of the best actors in the country, so I feel very blessed to have them both in this play. I hope audiences in London will find the play as thrilling and funny and thought-provoking as audiences in Scotland have.”
Finn Den Hertog said: “After a relatively short run with the National Theatre of Scotland last year, having an opportunity to revisit and re-imagine this play for the West End is hugely exciting. I know audiences are in for something genuinely special.
David has always been one of my favourite theatre artists – truly a master of his craft – and his trademark caustic wit, irreverence and subversiveness are out in full force in The Fifth Step.
Having recently spent time with Martin and Jack together, I can already see how electric their chemistry will be. These are elite actors working with an elite script…which hopefully makes my job very easy!”
Nica Burns, Founder @sohoplace, said: “We are so excited to be welcoming David Ireland’s fantastic play performed by two outstanding actors. The production will thrill in the intense intimacy of the @sohoplace auditorium. It is a perfect fit.“
4000 tickets, or 15% of all available tickets, will be priced at £25
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