Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden in The Fifth Step [Johan Persson]
THE 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous were devised to support members’ recovery. Step 5, also known as the “confession”, encourages participants to acknowledge any harm they’ve caused in their pursuit of alcohol.
Inspired by his own struggle with alcoholism, David Ireland’s latest play, The Fifth Step, follows the journey of Luka (Jack Lowden) and his relationship with his older sponsor James (Martin Freeman), who is less controlled than he first appears.
The pair meet in cafés and bond over strong coffee. James is shocked to discover Luka’s addiction to online porn, but sympathises with his yearning for love and stability. He freely dispenses advice, but is disparaging when Luka claims to have had a spiritual awakening.
As they approach Step 5 of the programme, their fragile friendship is severely tested. Luka reluctantly reveals his secrets and touches on disturbing truths from James’s past that he had hoped were long buried. The fractured trust threatens both their sobriety.
Finn den Hertog’s pitch-perfect production takes place in-the-round, the stage bare except for a few scattered chairs and a table. These are gradually folded and tucked away by the two actors, mirroring their characters’ efforts to contain their messy emotions. We surround the action like spectators at a boxing match.
As well as addiction, Ireland explores the difficult emotions that feed it – fear, shame, sexual frustration, guilt and the need to be loved – yet The Fifth Step is also surprisingly funny.
Lowden and Freeman are magnetic. They work brilliantly together; masters at drawing out the comedy without dissipating the darkness at the play’s heart.
Unmissable.
Until July 26
sohoplace.org/