The Fifth Step
A National Theatre of Scotland production
Written by David Ireland
Directed by Finn den Hertog
Starring Jack Lowden and Sean Gilder
28 August 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Luka (Jack Lowden) joins Alcoholics Anonymous and is in need of a sponsor. James (Sean Gilder) has been in the programme for years and agrees to guide Luka through the twelve steps that should see him on the road to recovery. As the men get to know each other better, their journeys become entwined and, well, the course of true redemption never did run smooth.
David Ireland's writing is refreshingly blunt. His plays are full of darkness, strong language and brilliant 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.
The titular Step Five of the AA's Twelve Step programme requires confession. It involves admitting to yourself, and to another human being, the exact details of all your wrong doings. How terrifying! In David Ireland's 'The Firth Step' Luka bares his soul not only to James but to us, the theatre audience. It's intimate and disturbing, as well as relentlessly hilarious.
Both Jack Lowden and Sean Gilder are magnificent in their roles. They bring Ireland's dialogue to life with formidable displays of dynamism and grit. So clever is Ireland's writing that he manages to offset the horror with the humorous, and director Finn den Hertog expertly weaves moments of relative peace and reflection with aggressive outbursts and impactful revelations.
Coupled with an imaginative spinning set that allows the action to flow from room to room in an instant, the atmosphere is tense and perilous. We literally never know what's just around the corner. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire 90 minute runtime.
It's a superb set design from Milla Clarke and, as can be seen throughout the play, it takes a lot of teamwork backstage to ensure the smooth running of the ever-changing, exciting stage. But it adds so much interest to the two-person play; it really does take the production up a level.
We often talk about voices that are under-represented in the theatre: Working-class, women, minorities and many others. In 'The Fifth Step' we hear the voice of one confused, tormented alcoholic (or is it two?). Ultimately this is a play about men, trust, truth and faith. It's an intense, stimulating new work full of scorching dialogue and uncomfortable truths. But it's also just incredibly entertaining. With two remarkable performances at its core and themes that will have me thinking about it long after the curtain has fallen, 'The Fifth Step' is another triumph for David Ireland and for the National Theatre of Scotland.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Fifth Step is at Glasgow Pavilion Theatre until Saturday 31st August 2024.
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📸 lead image: Simon Murphy
📸 production photos: Mihaela Bodlovic
The Fifth Step Cast and Creatives
Cast
Sean Gilder James
Jack Lowden Luka
Creative Team
David Ireland Writer
Finn den Hertog Director
Milla Clarke Set & Costume Design
Lizzie Powell Lighting Design
Mark Melville Composer and Sound Design
The Fifth Step tickets
The Fifth Step is at Glasgow Pavilion Theatre until Saturday 31st August 2024.
⚠️ Age guidance: 16+, contains very strong language, descriptions of extreme violence, challenging comments on religion and sexual themes.
⌚Runtime: 90 minutes, no interval
Glasgow Pavilion Theatre | Trafalgar Tickets
The Fifth Step, National Theatre of Scotland, David Ireland, Jack Lowden, Sean Gilder, Finn den Hertog
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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