CCP’s National Theatre Live explores conviction and power in two productions

Personal convictions come under scrutiny in two British stage productions screening on 27 October at 6 p.m. as part of the third season of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) National Theatre Live.

Presented in partnership with National Theatre Live and Ayala Malls Cinemas, David Ireland’s The Fifth Step screens at Ayala Malls Greenbelt 3 in Makati, while Peter Morgan’s The Audience screens at Ayala Malls Vertis North, Nuvali in Laguna, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay. The simultaneous screenings bring stories of recovery, trust and public duty to Philippine cinema audiences.

The Fifth Step follows James, a recovering alcoholic with years of sobriety, as he guides newcomer Luka through a twelve-step recovery program. What begins as a friendship rooted in shared experience grows increasingly complicated as their differing beliefs test their understanding of trust, faith and recovery.

Blending dark humor with emotional intensity, Ireland’s play explores addiction, vulnerability and the fragile boundaries of mentorship. As the two men confront their convictions, their relationship reveals the difficulties of rebuilding a life and the risks of placing one’s trust in another person.

The production stars Olivier Award winner Jack Lowden and Emmy and BAFTA Award winner Martin Freeman. It enjoyed a sold-out West End run before reaching international cinema audiences through National Theatre Live.

In The Audience, Morgan turns to the private weekly meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and her prime ministers. Behind closed doors, the monarch speaks with the leaders shaping Britain’s political landscape, offering a dramatic exploration of the tensions between personal belief and public responsibility.

Spanning decades of political and social change, these imagined encounters examine the relationship between the Crown and government while offering an intimate portrait of a sovereign navigating the demands of her role.

Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II earned her the 2013 Olivier Award for Best Actress, while Richard McCabe won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Both reprised their roles on Broadway, winning Tony Awards in 2015.

The two productions form part of CCP’s National Theatre Live Season 3, which runs from September 2026 to August 2027. The program presents stage productions filmed live before theater audiences and adapted for cinema screens, making British theatre more accessible to Filipino viewers.

For tickets and updates on the 27 October screenings, visit the CCP website and follow the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ official social media accounts.