THE FIFTH STEP - @sohoplace (05/07/25)

There is no easy way to approach the topic of addiction in any form, especially from an outsider's perspective, to see one's sense of identity drained away, and replaced with a shell of a former self that nobody, not even you, can recognise fully; and though the road to recovery is rarely paved with gold, there are people you meet along the way who make the road less troublesome to tread. That is, for the most part, the central notion being explored throughout the course of this David Ireland piece, focussing on two men on said journey, one a complete newcomer at his lowest point, and the other having been sober for 25 years, acting as a mentor, or "sponsor", to his opposite number.

"The Fifth Step" is a two-man character study, delving into the often ugly nature of alcoholism, and the even more daunting, stressful process of attempting to kick the habit; the title is a direct reference to the Alcoholics Anonymous twelve steps of getting over addiction, more specifically, centring around the idea of admitting to ourselves, and others around us, the true nature of one's self-destructive tendencies. New arrival Luka is a highly unfiltered, bawdy individual who, in spite of his best intentions, is skeptical of the programme and initially seems unwilling to take it seriously.

Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden (credit: Johan Persson)

Luka meets James, a comparative veteran of the programme, who takes him under his wing and imparts his own wisdom and past experiences, as facetious and deflective as younger counterpart often tends to be in the face of it all. James, contrary to Luka's relative and unique self-expression, is a far more conservative family man, hesitant but candid about discussing his own life. This mismatch of personalities between the two often makes for some hilarious exchanges, however there is also a great sense of sincerity and earnestness that Ireland maintains throughout, and the humour injected is never at the expense of the play's integrity.

What director Finn den Hertog has managed superbly is keeping the focus firmly on the characters and their various exchanges, with minimal yet functional set pieces and costume design that support but don't overwhelm the narrative; the lighting and sound (designed by Lizzie Powell and Mark Melville respectively) adopted during the scene to scene transitions were particularly potent, however these never obstructed the flow of proceedings.

Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden (credit: Johan Persson)

Aside from two absolutely astounding acting performances from Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden, what really draws us in and hooks us is the sheer chemistry between the two, as their characters couldn't be more different from one another, yet they play off one another brilliantly, particularly when discussing subject matter that one finds rather uncomfortable. But perhaps most impressive is the way the two portray the psychological turning of the tables, how Luka manages to make great progress through newfound faith, whilst James seemingly reverts back to denial and anger.

This flip-flop of personalities isn't necessarily handled in the most seamless manner, as James' switch from calm and collected to slightly agitated in particular did seem to somewhat come out of nowhere, however the way in which Luka's character developed over time, especially in the final couple of scenes, was actually very moving, as we go from being a little wary of him to really rooting for him in the end. And that I suppose is the crux of the issue, we root hard for those seeking to better themselves, as it isn't easy to take that first step, let alone the fifth and beyond. Ireland has not only helped us better understand the struggle of addiction, he has taken meaningful steps to destigmatising it, and letting us know that, no matter how helpless you may feel, you are never alone.

★★★★☆

"The Fifth Step" runs at @sohoplace until the 26th of July, book tickets here.