The Fifth Step

A co-production between Neal Street, Playful Productions and National Theatre of Scotland, David Ireland's acclaimed new play The Fifth Step will transfer to London's West End for a strictly limited season in Summer 2025.

Originally performed as part of the Edinburgh International Festival 2024, The Fifth Step has been further developed and restaged for its West End premiere at @sohoplace. Directed by Finn den Hertog, 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. ‍

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. ‍