Utterly enthralling, this production is nothing short of breathtaking
The Fifth Step, the latest play by David Ireland, and produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, is a story about the relationship between two men in sobriety. Directed by Finn den Hertog, we meet James (Sean Gilder) and Luka (Jack Lowden) – James having been sober for many years, and Luka being new to sobriety, and in need of guidance. As James becomes Luka’s sponsor and attempts to take him through the 12 steps, the relationship becomes tumultuous, resulting in a shattering climax. Dark humour sparkles in every scene, deftly laced in conversations around religion, sex, arson, fathers, adultery, women and spiritual enlightenment.
The script weaves its way through the relationship, seemingly leading us in one direction, before spinning us in another. There’s an elegant balance between the seriousness of the subject matter, and the laugh-out-loud moments of humour, even in the darkest of moments. A disposable coffee cup will never be the same again.
The acting performances were faultless throughout. Sean Gilder’s James projecting the perfect avuncular sage, but as his character is confronted, we see this morph into a contorted version of the man, practically spitting with venom and hypocrisy. Jack Lowden’s Luka is a twitchy bundle of guarded vulnerability and frankness, played with nuance as he develops his sense of integrity.
Both actors showed incredible comic timing and cadence with the humourous lines, whilst still controlling the gravitas where required, perfectly in step with each other.
Set design and lighting design is dazzling in its effectiveness. Slightly raised, each scene is set in claustrophobic intimacy – depicting corners of cafés, fluorescent-lit anonymous meeting rooms, the gym, and a hospital ward. The set apparatus revolves with each change of scene, often accompanied with emphatic sound and lighting changes. The set becomes a metaphor for the relationship, and visibly dismantled in front of us, as the relationship falls apart, leaving the raw bones of the set exposed.
The visual impact of this play is startling, and combined with the stellar cast performances and beautifully written and paced script, this production is nothing short of breathtaking.
Note: The Fifth Step runs at Edinburgh International Festival – 21 to 25 August, followed by Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow from 28 to 31 August.