The Fifth Step at @sohoplace Review
Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden in The Fifth Step. Photo by Johan Persson
Written by Philip for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The Fifth Step by David Ireland arrives in London after gracing the stage last year at the Edinburgh International Festival. The focus of Ireland’s most recent drama is Alcoholics Anonymous, or rather the dysfunctional relationship between young Alcoholic Luka and his older sponsor, James.
The 12-step programme is a core principle at Alcoholics Anonymous. When young addict, Luka, appears, he is apprehensive about the programme and relies on an older man, James, in recovery, to become his sponsor and coach him through the 12 steps. As they begin the journey, James is warm and welcoming. Almost like a father figure that Luka so desperately needs. There is so much humour when this all begins. As the play progresses, Luka begins to find strength in his recovery, and the tables begin to turn. James becomes judgemental, and the two men are at loggerheads. Then comes the crux. The Fifth Step itself. To share with a trusted person all the things that you are ashamed of. To admit all of your wrongs. The tension between the two men is at an all-time high, and all the resentment, fear, and hypocrisy cause an eruption. All the trust is lost as it appears not everyone has been honest.
Ireland’s focus isn’t really the fifth step at all, but really a deep dive into masculinity and the fragility of the ego. How some men, even in the most heartbreaking situations when at their wits’ end, can struggle with being honest. He has his protagonists trading blows. Luka and James circle each other on the topics of sexual desire, relationships, masturbation, sexuality, faith, God, and positive role models, amongst other things. It is clever and witty yet dark and very serious at its heart.
We catch glimpses of action in this Finn Den Hertog directed piece. The pacing feels odd at times but adds to the uneasy feeling in the audience. It feels intimate even in its most out there moments. Some of the ideas however, don’t quite land as they don’t stick around long enough too. Having The Fifth Step in the round though does allow access at all times. Watching the power struggle and the dynamics change as the action veers from dark comedy to full blown drama is captivating to say the least.
Starring in this two-hander are Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman and they are glorious. Lowden’s Luka is lost. Unsure of where to go and who to trust. Constantly fidgeting through the early stages, looking helpless and hurt. He slowly grows in confidence as the play moves on. Lowden’s portrayal is simply exquisite. He is funny and scared and in the end strong. Freeman as James takes the opposite journey beginning as a warm father figure and transforming into a man teetering on the edge and in need of help himself. Freeman has such an amazing ability to flick between his emotions. His version of the James we see at the end of the play is bone chilling. Watching his fall from grace is spectacular. A tour de force performance. The chemistry between Lowden and Freeman is also electric. From comrades to rivals in an instant. Two acting titans going head to head. The atmosphere was beautifully intense.
As previously mentioned, the play touches on ideas of faith, religion, relationships, sexual gratification and honesty to oneself and those around you. But to what extent do they aid recovery? Different people need different things, and even when you’ve been in recovery for many years, the smallest thing can put you back to the beginning. The process is ongoing which is where we leave James and Luka. Their journey is still in progress. Moments in time are all we get. It is thrilling and captivating and potentially a little frustrating, but a complete must-see.
playing @sohoplace until July 26th.
★★★★
