In September, the Baxter Theatre will premiere the humorous drama 'The Fifth Step,' which explores themes of sobriety and masculinity. Albert Pretorius and Lyle October star in the South African premiere of this production.
David Ireland's drama is a two-person story that debuts in South Africa for the first time in Cape Town. The plot centers on James, played by Albert Pretorius, who has been sober for many years, and agrees to sponsor Luke, played by Lyle October. Their interaction begins with sharing black coffee, exchanging experiences, and discussing life before sobriety.
Subsequently, Luke reaches the fifth step of the program, which requires him to make a full and honest confession of all past mistakes to another person. As they prepare for this confession, the conversations between the two men become increasingly candid, as old traumas and hidden secrets test their trust.
Ireland's script blends dark humor with serious content, allowing audiences to switch between awkward laughter and moments of vulnerability. The play also examines the expectations placed on men regarding faith, responsibility, and the willingness to ask for help. This focus on vulnerability gives the play relevance beyond Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The dialogues in the play touch upon issues of men's mental health, addiction, and emotional openness, which are becoming increasingly noticeable, although admitting the need for help is still not always easy. James and Luke are forced to grapple with those aspects of themselves that are difficult to explain, defend, or simply leave in the past. There is also the familiar tension between presenting one version of oneself to the world and maintaining another in private life. Social media simplifies control over what people see, while accountability has become a regular part of discussions about behavior and relationships.
Prior to this, 'The Fifth Step' debuted at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2024 and was subsequently shown in London's West End in 2025. The play garnered attention due to Ireland's witty dialogue and its ability to tackle complex issues without losing its sense of humor.
In the Baxter production, Pretorius has previously appeared in works such as 'Othello' and 'Ek is Nie Danie,' while October performed in 'Metamorphoses,' 'Othello,' and 'Neighbourhood.' He was also part of the company Fires Burning Baxter. The production is directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith, a recipient of the award, whose previous works include 'Expelled' and 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane.' Set and lighting design is by Wolf Britz, and costumes were designed by Marisa Steenkamp. 'The Fifth Step' runs at the Baxter Studio from September 3rd to 26th.