Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Soho Place, London
Cast: Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman
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.
Sometimes the simplest of plays are the most impactful, and David Ireland's The Fifth Step proves to be just that. An exploration of what on the surface just appears to be alcoholism, but delving deeper explores masculinity, sexuality, religion and the human condition itself.
The Fifth Step is dark humour at its finest and it proves to be the perfect blend of sincere but incredibly funny throughout; not shying away from the brutal reality of recovery. While you come away with more questions than answers, this only adds to the disconcerting and almost disorientating pace of the production.
The play follows two men. One being young, naive, unemployed and searching for a sponsor to aid him through his recovery (Jack Lowden as Luka). The other being a middle-aged, seemingly put together, former addict (Martin Freeman as James). Luka asks James to become his sponsor and while we receive some context as to Luka's journey up until now, the predominant focus is on James' fifth step. The fifth step in AA's 12-step programme is all about confession, and releasing any harbouring guilt and shame.
This 90-minute one-act production flies by in the blink of an eye, with very little time to breath and digest the piece until you leave the theatre. With it being a two-handed play, this only aids in intensifying every scene and the raw emotion from both Freeman and Lowden.
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Jack Lowden plays Luka as direct, often unintentionally rude and struggles with boundaries, whereas Martin Freeman plays James as seemingly open, calm and collected; almost polar opposites of one another. As waters become murky, secrets are unearthed that both men are not being quite as honest as they first seemed to be. Lowden and Freeman complement each other's performances perfectly, and their underlying respect for one another as actors is undeniably clear; creating an ever-evolving dynamic onstage that is both gripping and engaging.
Milla Clarke has created what first appears to be a simple set, but with the aiding of the actors, it provides an almost immersive experience to the piece, as they navigate us through various encounters of their time spent together. The lighting design from Lizzie Powell is dynamic, sometimes jarring, and only heightens the existing intensity. A mention must also go to Bret Yount, the show's fight director, who has navigated one of the most believable fight scenes I've ever seen on stage.
While the piece may not provide the conclusion or answers that you're hoping for, it's one that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre. The Fifth Step is thought-provoking, raw, and provides two of the most compelling performances I've witnessed on stage. An absolute must-see.
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You can book tickets to The Fifth Step, here.
**photo credit: Johan Persson**
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