Playwright David Ireland has crafted a compelling two-hander that explores guilt, redemption and the uneasy tension between confession and manipulation. Set in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting room and played here on an almost bare ‘in the square’ space, The Fifth Step unfolds as a psychological duel between two men, James, the older mentor, and Luka, the young alcoholic.
Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden give powerful performances as James and Luka respectively. As their relationship develops the audience is drawn into a web of uncertainty. Each revelation seems to throw the characters into doubt. Is James really the pure-hearted, caring mentor he claims to be? Should Luka trust him at all? The writing is generally taut and emotionally charged; it’s also surprisingly funny. The clear direction by Finn den Hartog keeps the audience focused on the mind games being played out on stage.
Freeman imbues James with his trademark everyman humanity and his usual tense body language. He is especially effective in the quieter moments when he reveals something of the personal suffering beneath the practiced façade of stoicism and world-weariness. It’s a subdued performance but finely tuned and absorbing.
Opposite him, Lowden is magnetic as the troubled Luka, playing the younger man with a charismatic intensity. He’s like a caged lion pacing the stage. We should dislike Luka for his awful attitudes and behaviour but Lowden helps us see the troubled soul behind the aggression.
Between them, Freeman and Lowden command the stage and hold our attention. The emotions switch rapidly from naïvety to swaggering, from rage to vulnerability. And always there’s this ambiguity – can we believe anything they say or are they both playing mind games and vying for sympathy?
The minimal staging and spatial intimacy of the Soho Place theatre keeps our focus on the dialogue and the characters’ relationship. The sense of confinement in the staging helps build the tension.
Despite the strong performances and compelling setup, The Fifth Step has some weak moments. The script leans a little too heavily on trying to be funny which undermines the tension. The pacing seems rushed in the first act when a slower burn could be more effective. Overall, the tone just seems unclear – we’re never sure if this is a naturalistic character study of two men dealing with their own demons or is it a psychological thriller about power and manipulation?
At around 90 minutes with no interval, the play generally moves along well although there is a lull in the middle as the relationship between the characters begins to circle in on itself. We need a little more depth here to sustain the journey. There is potential in their individual spiritual journeys but this aspect is treated with humour rather than any real reflection.
Can we find our god at the gym, or even in a paper cup? Does it matter? A more serious discussion of spirituality would add depth and resonance to the play. The program notes tell us that a lot of the play comes from David Ireland’s own life experiences and that does give it a layer of authenticity.
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Despite the small script flaws, The Fifth Step is a brilliant opportunity to see two excellent actors who really do give superb performances. Freeman and Lowden have a crackling chemistry on stage that really anchors the play. Together, they elevate moments that might otherwise falter. It’s a testament to their skills that they deliver the emotional truths of the play even when the script feels a little contrived.
At its heart, Ireland’s play isn’t about alcohol dependency and recovery at all. It’s about our own honesty and integrity and dealing with the decisions we have made. The Fifth Step doesn’t offer easy answers and that’s a good thing; it would be too convenient to be trite. While the script does wobble at times under the weight of its ambition, it’s still a compelling and thought-provoking play with brilliant, nuanced performances from Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden. Highly recommended.
The Fifth Step by David Ireland
Soho Place
Director: Finn den Hertog
Set and Costume Design: Milla Clarke
Lighting Design: Lizzie Powell
Sound Design and Composer: Mark Melville
Cast: Martin Freeman, Jack Lowden
The Fifth Step will be performed until 26 July 2025.
