REVIEW: The Fifth Step – Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow

Controversial subject matter, often shocking, all laced with humour have become the hallmarks of Belfast-born, Glasgow-based playwright David Ireland’s work.

The subject this time is the road to sobriety via Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Step Program. The fifth step of the title, known as “confession” where one “admits to God, to oneself and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs”.

The story that unfolds over several months between sponsor James (Sean Gilder) and Luka (Jack Lowden) is more complex than that. The power dynamics, manipulation, motivations, the co-dependency between alcoholic and sponsor are all examined. Flawed male relationships and the lack of positive role models for so many modern, young men is laid bare. The efficacy of the one size fits all, hard and fast rules of AA are brought into focus and the portrayal of a more ‘real’ AA experience is dissected subtly under a veneer of frank talk and humour. As are the difficulties when real life and real failings and flawed human beings enter into the equation. Oh, and Robert De Niro, Willem Dafoe and Elton John all feature in the mix.

Perspectives shift and tables turn throughout, and walls, both literally and metaphorically come down on Milla Clarke’s highly effective, revolving box set that takes us from anonymous AA meeting room to café, to park bench, to gym to hospital.

The ebb and flow of the dialogue is naturalistic and Lowden is magnetic and magnificent as the jittery young alcoholic. Gilder too delivers a perfectly measured performance as the (on the surface) more reasoned James.