Last night Stuart and I went to see Brokeback Mountain at @SohoPlace in London's glitzy West End. Based on Annie Proulx's short story this version by Ashley Robinson was sexy, moving, and full of grace.
There were excellent performances by the two leads; Mike Faist as Jack and Lucas Hedges as Ennis, both making their West End stage debuts. However, the night went to Emily Fairn. Playing Ennis's wronged wife, her note perfect performance brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.
The show was billed as a 'play with music' and indeed the action was interspersed with Eddi Reader (joined by her onstage Country and Western band) singing beautiful songs penned by Dan Gillespie Sells no less.
Of this version Proulx says, "Brokeback Mountain has been recreated in several different forms, each with its own distinctive moods and impact. Ashley’s script is fresh and deeply moving, opening sight lines not visible in the original nor successive treatments" And I couldn't have said it better myself.
A great opening production for this new theatre.
(Our only niggle was the building itself. It's all brand new - but the place is too tightly packed. The passages in and out of the spacious auditorium were too small, the staircases too narrow, the bars too short, and the facilities also too small.)
