The Fifth Step
at Home

From 7pm Thu 3 Oct 2026 | National Theatre at Home

the fifth step actors Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden stand together in front of circled folding chairs. Martin holds a take-away cup of coffee.

Overview

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by 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.

A production from Neal Street, Playful Productions, and National Theatre of Scotland.

Please note: This production contains strong language, comments on religion and sexual themes.

Running time: 90 minutes (no interval)

National Theatre at Home

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This production ran from 12 May - 26 July 2025 @Soho Place in London's West End and 17 - 31 August 2024 in Dundee, Edinburgh International Festival and Glasgow.

Reviews from the West End Run (2025).

5 Stars

Raw, excruciating and alarmingly funny

Daily Mail

4 Stars

Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman are superb

Financial Times

4 Stars

Laugh-out-loud funny two hander

Sunday Times

Cast

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Rehearsal Images

  • Jack Lowden sits in the rehearsal room, he has a serious expression.
  • The director sits on a chair in the rehearsal room. He is pointing past the camera.
  • Martin Freeman standing in a rehearsal room, he is looking into the distance dramatically.
  • A woman sitting in the rehearsal room. She is smiling directly at the camera.
  • Martin and Jack sitting at a table in the rehearsal room. Martin has his back to the camera and Jack is watching him warily.
  • Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden sit at a desk in the rehearsal room. Jack has his back to the camera and has his face in his hand. Martin watches him with a grave expression.

Production Images

  • Martin Freeman sits at a table with his back to the camera. Jack Lowden looms over him at the opposite side. Jack is staring intently at Martin- he looks angry and wants to show his power.
  • Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden walk around the rime of a rectangular stage. The room is dark except for the blue lighting around the rim. Chairs are in the middle of the rectangle, they are almost invisible.
  • Jack and Martin stand face-to-face. They seem tense. Martin looks as though he is taunting Jack.
  • Jack sits dejectedly on the chair. He has a pensive expression.
  • Jack is jumping high in the air. The background is mostly dark but the rim of the stage is blue as are the small lights in the ceiling.
  • Martin sits on a chair with his legs crossed. He is holding a coffee cup and looks off-camera to his right, His expression is subtly playful.