Steps to Sobriety
“I’ve been married 20 years. It is NOT p*ssy on tap!”
James
How important is Honesty in personal relationships? Most of us would probably agree that it is because the Individuals concerned are, to a greater or lesser degree, sharing their lives.
And is Honesty as important in a Client and Counsellor relationship? Perhaps more so since here one Party is paying for the expertise of another to achieve something she or he might not be able to do without help.
But David Ireland’s The Fifth Step (produced here in a ‘brand new revised version’) shows that a more loose relationship between Sponsor and Sponsored, within the context of an organisation such as AA, can be much more problematic. Honesty itself, in the wrong hands, can be damaging. Ireland writes from his own experience. Having tried AA for a few years he says he ultimately found it to be “suffocating and dogmatic” and gave it up.
Of course others may have had a different experience, but Ireland turns his own into drama that is alternately challenging, hilarious, and thoughtful, as if Rab C. Nesbitt had gatecrashed a recording of Radio 4’s Thought For The Day and gone on to chew up The Moral Maze.
The extreme minimalist set by Milla Clarke underscores the progress of the relationship between ex-alcoholic Sponsor James (Martin Freeman) and current alcoholic Luka (Jack Lowden). Sparse enough to begin with – a flimsy table and four equally insubstantial chairs – it ends up completely bare, revealing itself as the boxing ring we have always suspected it might become.
James and Luka themselves have little in common except to describe their respective fathers as a “cad”. At least that’s what I thought they said. @sohoplace’s theatre-in-the-square design can place you looking at an actor’s back and not quite catching what is actually being said.
James is middle-aged, married, and a father. The distant role model for sex-obsessed Luka who doesn’t seem to realise that it’s his aggressive courtship style that women find repellent rather than his ginger hair. (He also unconsciously trouser-fiddles when the mood takes him.)
However the two bond through a love of violent American movies and a shared Nesbittian sense of humour. And Luka makes progress. He even works out in a gym. And Progress is where Honesty becomes a problem. James somehow seems to regard Luka’s success as being at the expense of his own self-worth. Their debates become increasingly bitter since each exploits information the other has shared in their sessions.
The shock revelation that it was Jesus himself, (or was it Almighty God, or tough guy actor Willem Dafoe?) who challenged Luka’s pace in the gym is what really upsets James. Luka now has something James does not. To add to the tension there is the suspicion that Luka’s sexually voracious new girlfriend is actually James’ own wife?
Without giving away the end it’s fair to say we are treated to dazzling wordplay from two actors on top form. Directed by Finn Den Hertog, they comfortably and convincingly own the stage for the full 90 minutes (without break). Special mention should be made of Luka’s resplendent solo dance and some realistically loud and uncomfortable violence by both. (Please think carefully before trying out any of these moves at home.)
As a bonus the Piece ends with the surprise appearance of a very very Special Guest. Who is uncredited…(The Special Guest is God. In the form of a paper cup which drops from on high at the very end of the play.)
Brian Clover has been reviewing theatre since 2000.
Production Notes
The Fifth Step
Written by David Ireland
Directed by Finn Den Herzog
Cast
Starring:
Martin Freeman
Jack Lowden
Creatives
Director: Finn Den Herzog
Designer: Milla Clarke
Sound Designer and Composer: Mark Melville
Lighting Designer: Lizzie Powell
Movement: Jenny Ogilvie
Fight Director: Bret Yount
Information
Running Time: 90 minutes without an interval
Booking to 26th July 2025
Theatre:
@sohoplace
4 Soho Place
London W1D 3BG
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Telephone: 020 384 09611
Access: 0330 3335962
Website: www.sohoplace.org
Reviewed by Brian Clover at the matinée performance
@sohoplace
on 17th May 2025