CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

The Fifth Step

The Fifth Step, David Ireland's latest collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland tells a complex story about men, intimacy and our belief systems.

The Fifth Step

About The Fifth Step

Written by David Ireland Directed by Finn den Hertog

A National Theatre of Scotland production

“The point is to divest yourself of shame… It’s about getting clean.”

Thirty something Luka is new to Alcoholics Anonymous and looking for a sponsor. James is older, has been in the programme for years, surely he’s the perfect person to shepherd the younger man through each of the twelve steps on the road to recovery. Or maybe life just isn’t that simple.

In a programme that requires both of them to come to terms with their past, can Luka and James face their transgressions to find a new way of living?

Featuring Jack Lowden as Luka, The Fifth Step is David Ireland’s grimly comic, provocative new play about men, intimacy and what we choose to put our faith in.

Jack Lowden is an acclaimed Scottish actor. He has two BAFTA nominations, for EE Rising Star in 2020 and Best Supporting Actor for Slow Horses in 2023. He also won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in Ghosts at The Almeida.

Age recommendation: 16+, contains strong language, violence and adult themes

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Guide Dogs
MNB
Edinburgh Street Historians
Escape The Past
Fayre Play

Other Events at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival

Black Is The Color Of My Voice

3rd September 2025 - 4th September 2025

Fringe First award winner Apphia Campbell's stunning solo show inspired by the life of Nina Simone comes to The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 3rd & 4th September!

READ MORE

Pirates Love Underpants

6th September 2025 - 7th September 2025

Join our swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain's treasure chest at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 6th & 7th September!

READ MORE

Buffy Revamped

17th September 2025 - 18th September 2025

Satirical, funny and bursting with pop-culture references, Buffy Revamped at The Royal Lyceum is the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados!

READ MORE

George Lewis: The Best Thing You’ll Ever Do

19th September 2025

Activate the parents' whatsapp groups, dump the kids with whoever is willing to have them, and join George Lewis at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh for a brilliant night out!

READ MORE

How Very Hannah

20th September 2025

From sharing industry stories to getting the inside scoop from fellow theatre lovers - Hannah Lowther brings a show about the joy, chaos & magic of the stage to The Lyceum Edinburgh!

READ MORE

The Seagull

9th October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Chekhov's much-loved masterpiece soars anew in a darkly comic reimagining by Mike Poulton, with beloved stage and screen star Caroline Quentin leading a stellar ensemble.

READ MORE

Myra Dubois: Cosmic Empath

26th October 2025

After a barnstorming 2024 which saw Myra Dubois sell-out venues across the UK and Ireland, she returns to the stage with her brand-new show Cosmic Empath and brings it to the Lyceum in October!

READ MORE

The Glass Menagerie

4th November 2025 - 8th November 2025

Catch The Glass Menagerie, a gripping new staging of Tennessee Williams' iconic masterpiece, at The Lyceum Edinburgh in November!

READ MORE

The Big Comedy Roadshow with Felicity Ward

9th November 2025

Don't miss a rip-roaring night of the very best live stand-up comedy starring the TV names you know and love alongside some of the hottest up-and-coming talent at the Lyceum on 9th November!

READ MORE

Cinderella: A Fairytale

28th November 2025 - 3rd January 2026

Coming to the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh Christmas 2025, the story we all love that has captivated audiences around the UK: Cinderella!

READ MORE

Connor Burns: GALLUS

30th November 2025

Don't miss Gallus – the all-new comedy show from Connor Burns, Scotland's breakout international stand-up sensation, at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 30th November!

READ MORE

The Shawshank Redemption

20th January 2026 - 24th January 2026

The Shawshank Redemption is a gripping tale of friendship, injustice, and quiet resistance, set within the brutal confines of a maximum-security prison. Don't miss it at The Lyceum in January!

READ MORE

Stuart Mitchell: Tips Not Included

31st January 2026

With over 100M views online see Stuart Mitchell, the longest running panellist from BBC Scotland's 'Breaking The News', live at The Royal Lyceum in his first national tour!

READ MORE

Prima Facie

3rd February 2026 - 7th February 2026

Jodie Comer is set to return to her award-winning role in Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie in 2026 and brings it to the The Royal Lyceum Theatre from 3rd to 7th February, the only Scottish dates!

READ MORE

One Day The Musical

26th February 2026 - 5th April 2026

The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and Melting Pot present the World Premiere of One Day The Musical, a celebration of love, fate, and the moments that define us forever.

READ MORE

Sweat

3rd June 2026 - 20th June 2026

Taut, gripping, and devastatingly impactful, Sweat is a powerhouse social drama of loyalty, loss, and the fight for survival in an unforgiving world.

READ MORE

Zog

7th July 2026 - 12th July 2026

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

TGC Leisure
Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Similar events you might like...

99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

Selected dates between 5th April 2025 - 6th December 2025

Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret at at The Lab in CC Blooms!

READ MORE
99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

Selected dates between 3rd May 2025 - 6th December 2025

Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret with Red Hot Kitty Burlesque and Cabaret in the fabulous atmosphere at The Lab in CC Blooms!

READ MORE
Broadway Brunch

Broadway Brunch

Selected dates between 19th July 2025 - 20th September 2025

Ready to swap your Saturday lie-in for a standing ovation? Step into the limelight with Broadway Brunch, Brewhemia’s razzle-dazzle new dining spectacular.

READ MORE
Should I Delete That - Live

Should I Delete That - Live

3rd September 2025

Join Em Clarkson and Alex Light, the voices behind the hit podcast Should I Delete That?,for an evening of unfiltered chat, big laughs, and meaningful connection, live on stage at the Usher Hall!

READ MORE
Black Is The Color Of My Voice

Black Is The Color Of My Voice

3rd September 2025 - 4th September 2025

Fringe First award winner Apphia Campbell's stunning solo show inspired by the life of Nina Simone comes to The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 3rd & 4th September!

READ MORE
The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

3rd September 2025 - 6th September 2025

Don't miss The Wizard of Oz at Edinburgh's Church Hill Theatre from 3rd to 6th September!

READ MORE
Art Walk Porty

Art Walk Porty

4th September 2025 - 14th September 2025
Portobello

This year’s Art Walk Porty Festival is a special one with the theme 'ShowGround', a performance-rich programme celebrating 10 years of the festival.

READ MORE
An Evening with Davina

An Evening with Davina

5th September 2025

Join TV icon and wellness advocate Davina McCall at the Usher Hall on 5th September for a special live evening of uplifting conversation, personal stories, and plenty of laughs!

READ MORE
The Junkie Miracles

The Junkie Miracles

5th September 2025

The Junkie Miracles is a new play by Des Dillon, based on harrowing experiences of recovery, don't miss it at Reconnect Regal Theatre on Friday 5th September!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Guide Dogs
MNB
Edinburgh Street Historians
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
TGC Leisure
Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
ATG
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Open Rehearsal for the Chapter House Singers
Curious about singing in a choir? Then come along to our Open Rehearsal on Wednesday 25th September at Walpole Hall and see what Chapter House Singers is all about!
Blast 5km Series @ The Meadows 2025
Join Blast Running in the heart of Edinburgh for the Monthly Blast 5K Series at The Meadows – a lively lunchtime race that’s become a firm favourite on the city’s running calendar.
Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk 2025
Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk is celebrating 21 incredible years and we are ready to welcome our Santa’s back to West Princes Street Gardens for our much loved family fundraising event!
Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years
This summer, the largest ever indoor exhibition by Andy Goldsworthy will take over the National Galleries of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall