The Fifth Step

The Fifth Step
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:00 PM
  • Saturday May 16, 2026 1:00 PM

Written by David Ireland
Directed by Finn den Hertog

"Raw, excruciating, and often alarmingly funny."—Daily Mail

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland.

After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.

Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

Learn more about this production and purchase tickets here.


Presented by Amphibian Stage in partnership with the Modern, National Theatre Live is the National Theatre of Great Britain’s initiative to broadcast live performances from the National’s stages to cinemas worldwide. National Theatre Live performances are filmed live in high definition and broadcast via satellite to almost 400 cinemas around the world, live in Europe and some US cities, and time-delayed in countries further afield.