The Fifth Step
WORLD PREMIERE
David Ireland’s latest collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland tells a complex story about men, intimacy and our belief systems.
David Ireland’s latest work is a grimly comic play that explores the difficult journey to sobriety. This 'daring dramatist' (The Guardian) is best known for his award-winning provocative plays, Cyprus Avenue and Ulster American.
The Fifth Step features Scottish actor Jack Lowden as Luka, nominated for BAFTAs in both 2020 as a Rising Star and in 2023 for Best Supporting Actor in thriller series Slow Horses. Luka has recently joined Alcoholics Anonymous and is searching for a sponsor. He finds James, an older man who has been in the programme for years. From the outset, James looks like the ideal man to shepherd Luka through each of the twelve steps. However, the road to recovery isn’t that simple, and will force both Luka and James to closely examine their pasts and face their own transgressions.
The National Theatre of Scotland returns to the International Festival following 2023's Thrown, hailed as a 'beautifully-crafted production' (The Scotsman).
Lowden has a leading man’s charisma
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A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.
National Theatre of Scotland
David Ireland Writer
Finn den Hertog Director
Jack Lowden Luka
Sean Gilder James
Yvonne Strain BSL Interpreter
Yvonne Waddell BSL Interpreter
Louisa McDaid Captioner
Emma-Jane McHenry Audio Describer
TICKET PRICES AND CONCESSIONS
A limited number of £10 Affordable Tickets are available for every performance, which are available from 21 March. First, log into your online account or create a new account if you don’t have one. £10 Affordable Tickets are available in the Stalls in Price C, in the Circle in Price K and in the Upper Circle in Prices M, N, O and P. Select your seat(s) and add the tickets to your basket. Enter promo code INVITED at checkout, and your ticket(s) will be discounted to £10.
The £10 Affordable Ticket is subject to availability and limited to two per customer per event. No proof of eligibility is required. £10 Affordable Tickets work on a trust basis and we hope that these will only be chosen by people who need them.
D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and under 18s are entitled to a 50% concession discount.
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All concessions are subject to availability. Ticket prices may vary from previously published prices.
MULTIBUY OFFERS
We have a variety of multibuy offers where you can save 20% on standard price tickets when you buy tickets for multiple shows. All multibuy offers exclude concessions and top-price tickets. Multibuy offers will only apply when tickets are purchased in the same transaction.
GROUP BOOKINGS
Groups of ten or more receive a 10% discount on full-price tickets for selected performances. For groups of more than 20, phone the box office or email [email protected]
YOUNG CHILDREN POLICY
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TICKET EXCHANGES & REFUNDS
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Refund Protection is an optional service offered by Edinburgh International Festival and administered by TicketPlan. It is not an insurance policy.