
This production is recommended for ages 16+
Performance dates
10 May - 26 July 2025
Run time: 1hr 30mins
No interval
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The Fifth Step London tickets
Emmy, BAFTA and SAG Award winner Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit, The Office) and Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk, Fighting with my Family) star in the West End premiere of David Ireland’s The Fifth Step. Playing a strictly limited 11-week run at @sohoplace, this intimate portrayal of addiction and admission is not one to be missed. Book your tickets today.
About The Fifth Step
The first step is honesty. The second step is faith. The third step is surrender. The fourth step is faith. The fifth step might destroy it all.
On the journey to sobriety, James (Martin Freeman) and Luka (Jack Lowden) bond over black coffee as they trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences.
However, as they enter the fifth step in the program, their conversations turn to confessionals, and not everyone is ready to hear the truth. With progress hinging on the balance, will the pair be able to tip the scales in their favour?
Facts and Critical Acclaim
- 'Jack Lowden compels in David Ireland’s new drama…his crackling, cackling talents flaring' - The Observer
- ‘All the energy and panache that David Ireland fans have come to expect' - The Scotsman
- Martin Freeman is the recipient of two Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
- Jack Lowden won an Olivier and Ian Charleson award for his portrayal of Oswald in Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts.
The Fifth Step Cast
- James - Martin Freeman
- Luka - Jack Lowden
The Fifth Step Creatives
- Playwright - David Ireland
- Director - Finn den Hertog
- Set & Costume Designer - Milla Clarke
- Lighting Designer - Lizzie Powell
- Sound Designer - Mark Melville
- Movement - Jenny Ogilvie
Access
BSL Signed performance - Thursday 12th June 2025, 7.30pm. Captioned Performance - Tuesday 24th June 2025, 7.30pm. Audio Described Performance - Tuesday 8th July 2025, 7.30pm.Latest The Fifth Step News

News
@sohoplace best seats and seating plan
@sohoplace is London’s first new West End theatre in 50 years, bringing a fresh and innovative performance space to the heart of the city. Officially opening in 2022, this state-of-the-art venue was designed with flexibility in mind, offering a fully adaptable auditorium that allows for different seating configurations depending on the production. Located just off Tottenham Court Road, @sohoplace is a modern and intimate venue that provides an unparalleled connection between performers and the audience.
Unlike traditional theatres, @sohoplace embraces an immersive and contemporary approach to staging productions. With its cutting-edge acoustics, intimate seating arrangements, and a focus on new writing and innovative performances, it has quickly become a must-visit destination for theatre lovers.
What are the best seats in @sohoplace?
The best seats at @sohoplace depend on the specific show and its staging configuration. However, due to its intimate design and wraparound seating, there truly isn’t a bad seat in the house.
For the best overall experience, front-row seats in the Stalls offer an immersive view, placing you right in the action. If you prefer a slightly elevated vantage point, seats in the Circle provide a fantastic overview of the stage while still maintaining a close connection to the performers.
Because @sohoplace can be reconfigured into different layouts, including thrust, in-the-round, and end-on staging, the prime seats may vary depending on the production. Checking the specific seating chart for your chosen performance is always a good idea to secure the best possible view.
@sohoplace seating plan
3 Apr, 2025 | By Sian McBride

News / Celebrities / Casting / New Shows + Transfers
Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden star in new West End play
Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden will star in the West End premiere of David Ireland’s The Fifth Step.
An unflinchingly honest drama about addiction, masculinity and faith, the play debuted at the Edinburgh International Festival last year. Jack Lowden, who played Luka in the original run, will be reprising his critically acclaimed role at @sohoplace this spring.
Commenting on today's announcement, Jack Lowden gushed: "to just be in the room again with David and Finn – two dangerously talented individuals – is a gift in itself. But to now add Martin to the mix, an actor of black belt level skill and a hero of mine, just tops it. I can’t wait for more people to experience The Fifth Step."
Martin Freeman agreed, adding: “I’m really looking forward to performing this brilliantly funny, unsettling, unexpected play. David Ireland is something quite special and Jack Lowden is an actor I have tremendous respect for and am looking forward to working with him.”
23 Jan, 2025 | By Sian McBride
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