EIF – The Fifth Step at The Lyceum

The National Theatre of Scotland produces some of the most amazing drama.

And David Ireland’s writing is amazing. This story about men, intimacy and our belief systems is presented in the most precise, concise, and incisive language, not an unnecessary syllable.

Of course, the acting of both Jack Lowden as Luka and Sean Gilder as James is fabulous delivering those lines with alacrity and forceful emotion. The set design is clever being on a rotating platform to change into a small variety of scenes used to eminent effect.

The story involves Luka searching for a sponsor having recently joined Alcoholics Anonymous. He finds James, an older man who has been in the programme for years thus seeming to be a suitable candidate to take Luka through each of the twelve steps. However, the road to recovery is not smooth. Honesty is difficult.

For reference, the fifth step of the AA programme is to admit to God, to yourself, and to another human being the exact nature of your wrongs.

But what is God? And how does an atheist adapt this guideline?

https://www.eif.co.uk/events/the-fifth-step Until 25 August. Not to be missed.