Watch: Slow Horses star Jack Lowden on arts funding, Edinburgh Filmhouse and 'Scotland's best writer'
The Fifth Step will be released worldwide in cinemas from November 27.
Jack Lowden - the star of hit TV series Slow Horses - has praised the Scottish Government for having “prioritised” the arts sector as he applauded efforts to reopen the Edinburgh Filmhouse.
The 35-year-old, who spoke to The Scotsman at Tuesday night’s premiere of the National Theatre of Scotland’s (NTS) play The Fifth Step, has been a prominent figure in supporting the Scottish arts sector.
A patron of the Edinburgh Filmhouse, Lowden was asked about Creative Scotland’s funding package of £208 million unveiled in January to assist hundreds of arts organisations across Scotland over a three-year period.
“We're big thinkers, so no funding is ever big enough for us,” Lowden said. “But I'm incredibly encouraged by what the Scottish Government have done because it shows priorities. It's really nice to be in the arts sector and to feel that you have been prioritised.”
Now, at the Filmhouse premiere of The Fifth Step, in which Lowden stars as lead character Luka, the actor said it was “brilliant” the play would be available for people to watch in cinemas across the world through NT Live.
Directed by Finn den Hertog, The Fifth Step, by award-winning playwright David Ireland, stars Lowden and Martin Freeman in a darkly comic two-hander that follows their journey to sobriety by way of the 12 steps.
The play, which was originally presented in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow by NTS, was captured live earlier this year from its sold-out London West End transfer in the Soho Place in London.
The Edinburgh Filmhouse, which was specifically chosen for the premiere, reopened in June following a £1.7 million refurbishment and a major fundraising campaign backed by stars including Lowden and Succession actor Brian Cox.
Lowden, Ireland and Hertog attended the global premiere of The Fifth Step in Edinburgh as the play is released worldwide in cinemas from November 27. It is the first time a NTS production has been captured for National Theatre Live.
In the play, Lowden plays 30-something Luka, new to Alcoholics Anonymous, while Freeman is James, a part originated in Scotland by Sean Gilder, who has been in the programme for years and is possibly the sponsor Luka is looking for.
Here is Lowden’s exclusive Q&A with The Scotsman.
How does it feel to be part of the first National Theatre of Scotland production for National Theatre Live?
I didn’t know that. That’s great, yeah, very proud. I’m just glad more people get to see it. I think NT Live is a wonderful thing. It’s a very entertaining, fun important play, so the more people who get to see it, the better.
What does being in National Theatre Live mean for the play reaching a wider audience?
I think it’s only brilliant. Part of what makes theatre so special is that only a certain amount of people get to see it, but I think sometimes certain plays deserve to be seen further afield. We can only do them for a certain amount of time onstage, so it’s really wonderful more people get to see it.
You’re an Edinburgh Playhouse patron and were part of the work in supporting reopening the cinema. How does it feel to be here for the premiere?
I was extremely proud when I heard it was going to be here. Obviously fantastic. I didn’t really do anything to be honest, I just supported them through everything that they went through. The team at the Filmhouse that managed to pull it off are those that need commended because any independent cinema is just a very important thing to keep.
The Creative Scotland funding was greatly welcomed by arts groups when it was announced earlier this year. Do you think it’s enough and what can be done to improve the financial state of the Scottish arts sector?
I think it's fantastic there's any uplift at all. You'll always find with arts funding that no amount is ever enough. We are by nature, as a sector, incredibly courageous. We're big thinkers so no funding is ever big enough for us, but I'm incredibly encouraged by what the Scottish Government have done because it shows priorities and it's really nice to be in the arts sector and to feel that you have been prioritised.
What’s been your favourite moment working on The Fifth Step?
My favourite moment has been working with David, the director, Finn, the director, Sean, the original actor, and Martin, the actor down in London. Just being in the room with very talented and brave people is always a great joy.
What drew you to the role of Luka?
David Ireland’s writing. I think he’s among one of the best writers that we have. I certainly think he’s the best writer we have in Scotland. He’s a great sort of benchmark for other writers and he’s a wonderful writer for actors, specifically having been one himself and a very good one.
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