Jack Lowden joined by Martin Freeman in alcoholism drama The Fifth Step
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Lowden first appeared in David Ireland’s two-hander in Edinburgh last year. For its West End run, he is paired with his ‘hero’ Freeman. Slow Horses star Jack Lowden is to reprise his role in The Fifth Step, a play about addiction, faith and masculinity, in a new West End production co-starring Martin Freeman.
Lowden first appeared in the drama, written by David Ireland, at the Edinburgh international festival last year and drew acclaim for his performance as an alcoholic, Luka, who joins the 12-step programme. The two-hander starred Sean Gilder as Luka’s older mentor, a part that will be played by Freeman in the production at @sohoplace in London, running from 10 May until 26 July. Finn den Hertog will again direct.
The play’s title refers to the part of the Alcoholics Anonymous programme which involves writing down the life experiences that have brought you shame and guilt, and sharing that list with someone you trust. “I realised it’s called The Fifth Step because the whole play is like my fifth step – it’s my confession,” said Ireland, who attended AA meetings through his own experiences of alcoholism and loneliness. The playwright is known for the controversial black comedies Cyprus Avenue, in which a Belfast loyalist believes his infant granddaughter to be Gerry Adams, and Ulster American, which probes the film and theatre industries post-#MeToo. Ulster American was also staged at the Edinburgh festival and had a subsequent London run with Woody Harrelson in the cast.
