Overview

• David Ireland's latest play, 'The Fifth Step,' is now running at Soho Place in London through July 26, 2025, following its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival last year.
• The production stars Jack Lowden as Luka, a vulnerable young alcoholic, and Martin Freeman as James, his AA sponsor, in an exploration of Alcoholics Anonymous and personal recovery.
• Critics have praised the intense performances of the lead actors, with Lowden delivering explosive energy and Freeman portraying a nuanced, quietly menacing sponsor.
• The play incorporates surreal spiritual elements, including Luka's hallucination of Jesus as Willem Dafoe, contrasting AA dogma with personal faith and belief systems.
• While some reviewers highlight the play's humor and authenticity, others find it softer and less impactful than Ireland's earlier works, citing a lack of emotional punch.