W&L Presents Screening of the West End’s ‘The Fifth Step’ Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman star in the critically acclaimed new play, being screened in Stackhouse Theater on April 14.

Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden in “The Fifth Step.” Photo credit: Johan Persson

The Lenfest Center for the Arts at Washington and Lee University continues its National Theatre Live series with a screening of “The Fifth Step” at 7:30 p.m. on April 14 in Stackhouse Theater in Elrod Commons.

The screening is also part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement (O&E) series. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or in person at the Lenfest Center box office.

W&L’s National Theatre Live series features screenings of seven top British theater productions, connecting university knowledge and art experiences on the W&L campus and beyond to the local community in a mutually beneficial partnership. Most recently, “Inter Alia” was screened on March 10; the final screening of the series will be “The Audience” on May 5.

Olivier Award winner Jack Lowden and Emmy Award and British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) winner Martin Freeman star in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny play by David Ireland.

After years in the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, James (played by Freeman) becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka (played by Lowden). The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches the fifth step of the program — the confessionals — dangerous truths emerge and threaten the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.

Filmed live during its 2025 run at Soho Place on London’s West End, “The Fifth Step” is directed by Finn den Hertog.

Order your tickets online today or call the Lenfest Center box office at 540-458-8000 for ticket information. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $20 for general admission and $8 for W&L students.

The National Theatre Live performances are sponsored in part by the Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

For a full list of this season’s performances, visit the Lenfest Center’s website.

The Lenfest Center for the Arts, home of the Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies, the Department of Music and the Department of Art and Art History, is a multi-use facility designed and equipped to accommodate a broad spectrum of the performing arts, including theater, musical theater, opera and operetta, choral and band music, dance and performance art in one energizing complex.