The play centers on the twelve-step journey of Alcoholics Anonymous, featuring two main characters: James, played by Freeman, and Luka, portrayed by Lowden.

Lowden, who previously portrayed Luka at the 2024 Edinburgh International Festival, emphasized his enthusiasm for collaborating with Freeman and the creative team.

David Ireland, the playwright, describes 'The Fifth Step' as a personal confession drawn from his own experiences with alcoholism and loneliness.

Director Finn den Hertog is reimagining the play for the intimate setting of the theater, promising a unique experience for audiences.

Freeman expressed excitement about the project, praising Ireland's writing and Lowden's performance, while highlighting the humor and depth of the piece.

Jack Lowden will reprise his acclaimed role as Luka in the West End transfer of David Ireland's play 'The Fifth Step', co-starring Martin Freeman.

This new production is set to run for 11 weeks, starting with previews on May 10, 2025, and officially opening on May 19, 2025.

The play will be staged in-the-round at @sohoplace, a new venue that opened in 2022 as part of a £300 million regeneration project near Tottenham Court Road station.

The title of the play refers to the fifth step of Alcoholics Anonymous, which involves sharing personal experiences of shame and guilt.

As Luka approaches the critical fifth step, both characters confront troubling secrets from their pasts, which could impact their recovery from addiction.

To ensure accessibility, 15% of tickets will be priced at £25 ($31), making the production more affordable for a wider audience.

The production is a collaboration between Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, and the National Theatre of Scotland, in association with Nica Burns.