Screen stars Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden joined Romesh Ranganathan this week (Saturday 19 April 2025) on his BBC Radio 2 show.
The stars were promoting their new play The Fifth Step in London, which is running at @SohoPlace Theatre from 10 May to 26 July 2025.
See a link below to listen to the interview on BBC Radio 2.
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) and Emmy Award-winner Martin Freeman (The Responder, Sherlock) feature in this provocative and entertaining new two-hander.
Following an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival, David Ireland’s funny and brutally honest exploration of addiction, masculinity and faith is coming to London for a strictly limited West End season.
Who are the creators of The Fifth Step?
Directed by Finn den Hertog, associate artist at the National Theatre of Scotland, The Fifth Step 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.
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.
What is The Fifth Step about?
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.
Getting tickets to The Fifth Step in London
The Fifth Step is playing at new West End theatre @sohoplace in London, running for a strictly limited 11 week season from 10 May until 26 July 2025.
Book tickets to The Fifth Step at @sohoplace Theatre in London
Rom’s joined live in the studio by actors Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden, ahead of their roles in upcoming play ‘The Fifth Step’.