Review: National Theatre Live The Fifth Step - starring Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman | Filmed @sohoplace London
- Lisa in the theatre
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Debuting in Scotland's theatres in 2024, David Ireland's play The Fifth Step, produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, transferred to London's West End for an eleven-week run in summer 2025. It was during this time in London that the show was captured live for National Theatre Live. The filmed performance will be shown in cinemas across the globe from 27th November 2025. Read my review of NT Live's The Fifth Step below.
NT Live: The Fifth Step ★★★★★
Filmed @sohoplace theatre, London for National Theatre Live
The first ever National Theatre of Scotland production to be filmed for National Theatre Live's cinema programme, David Ireland's The Fifth Step is an intense, unflinching dark comedy that follows Luka (Jack Lowden) as he joins Alcoholics Anonymous in need of hope, guidance and a sponsor.
Step forward James, (Martin Freeman) a recovering alcoholic who has been in the AA programme for years and who is an experienced sponsor. James agrees to guide Luka through the twelve steps that should see him on the road to recovery. But as the men get to know each other better, Luka's confessions derail their journey.
David Ireland's writing is refreshingly blunt. His plays are full of darkness, strong language and fearless humour. But his dialogue is perhaps most shocking for its authenticity. How do men speak when they are alone at an AA meeting? I have no idea. But I'd imagine it's something like this: Unrestrained, explicit and at times unsettling.
Having seen the original production of The Fifth Step in Glasgow last year I was intrigued to see how it would translate to the in-the-round stage at London's @sohoplace theatre.
The staging @sohoplace is minimalist
The debut outing for The Fifth Step play in Scotland in 2024 was presented in traditional proscenium arch theatres and involved an impressive, complex rotating set. The staging at @sohoplace in comparison is minimalist to say the least. A bare rectangular floor with a raised outer track sits at the centre of the room. Reminiscent of a judo floor or some other ominous sparring ring, it's the perfect platform for two actors about to exchange vocal jabs for the next 90 minutes or so.
Designer Milla Clarke is responsible for both incarnations, but the London staging is cleaner, less cluttered, more modern. At all times the stage and the performers are beautifully lit by Lizzie Powell's similarly transformed lighting design. The audience are forced to focus on the actors and their words here. This is a prime example of writing and performances so strong that little else is needed.
Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman are both exceptional
Jack Lowden was good in the original production but he is transcendent here. A sublime performance of such exquisite detail, from jangling his legs to nervously biting his fingers, these small but important details hint at the troubled young man before us. Quiet and insecure but erratic, Lowden's Luka is as believable as he is unsettling. Send all the awards his way.
The always reliable Martin Freeman is similarly superb. Ostensibly the voice of experience and composure, his James too is flawed; proud but hiding a volatile side and some major insecurities. The control Freeman exudes with his performance is remarkable. David Ireland's dialogue is powerful, shocking and shockingly funny - both Lowden and Freeman do well to keep straight faces as the fragile friendship between them is tested to its limits and the atmosphere on stage becomes more menacing.
Director Finn den Hertog expertly conducts the pair, who dance around the stage and each other like caged animals. Den Hertog's fast-moving production sizzles with furious energy and aggression.
The Fifth Step is a play about confession, honesty and faith. It's an intense, hilarious, stimulating new work teeming with scorching dialogue and uncomfortable truths. But it's also just an incredibly entertaining piece of theatre.
The London production has resolved the (very few) issues I had with the original presentation, and NT Live's filming of it really does offer you the best seat in the house. With multiple cameras focusing on the actor's exquisite, and at times excruciating, performances, this is a show that audiences around the world should not miss when it comes to a cinema near you. ★★★★★
The Fifth Step is in cinemas from 27 November, and is presented by Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions and National Theatre of Scotland in association with Nica Burns. Screening info available at thefifthstep.ntlive.com
Running time: 90 minutes straight through, no interval.
A personal note: I'm forever grateful for NT Live. They film theatre live from London's most exciting stages, and screen it in thousands of cinemas around the globe. Being based in Scotland, I don't always have the time or the money to travel to London to see all the theatre and all the big stars that I'd like to. But over the years, via NT Live, I've had the opportunity to see more of the greats than I would have otherwise. Most recently I saw the filmed performance of Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike which I highly, highly recommend too.
MORE: Find more Scottish and UK theatre news and reviews on Lisa in the Theatre here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/
