David Ireland’s acclaimed new play The Fifth Step is transferring to London following its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival last year.
The production will see the play’s original lead, Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), reprising the role of Luka, joined by Emmy, BAFTA and SAG Award-winner Martin Freeman (The Responder, Sherlock, The Hobbit, The Office) as James.
The Fifth Step will transfer to the West End’s @sohoplace for a strictly limited season from 10 May until 26 July 2025.
Directed by Finn den Hertog, associate artist at the National Theatre of Scotland, David Ireland’s funny and unflinchingly honest drama is about addiction, masculinity and faith.
The show is produced in London by Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions and National Theatre of Scotland, in association with Nica Burns.
Joining director Finn den Hertog in the creative team will be Set and Costume designer Milla Clarke; Lighting designer Lizzie Powell; Sound designer Mark Melville; Movement director Jenny Ogilvie; and Casting director Stuart Burt CDG.
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 agrees to become the sponsor of newcomer Luka. 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 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.
Video: The Fifth Step – interviews with Jack Lowden & Martin Freeman
David Ireland is an acclaimed writer and actor. His first play, What the Animals Say, premiered in 2011, and his second play Everything Between Us won the Meyer Whitworth Award in 2012. His Fringe First-winning play Ulster American was revived in London in 2023 at the Riverside Studios starring Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Louisa Harland.
The play’s world premiere run in Edinburgh in 2024 led to rave reviews for Jack Lowden’s performance, including “Jack Lowden excels” (Guardian) and “impresses” (Times), and is “tremendous” (Telegraph) and “remarkable” (FT).
Actor Jack Lowden said in a statement: “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.”
Actor 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 am looking forward to working with him.”
Writer 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.”
Photos: The Fifth Step – Production images
Director 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!”
Theatre owner Nica Burns of @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.”
The Fifth Step is playing at @sohoplace in London from 10 May until 26 July 2025.
More about tickets to The Fifth Step at @sohoplace Theatre in London
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