Stage adaptation of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN set for London bow?

A stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain is set to premiere in London this year, it is rumoured.

Plans to bring Annie Proulx’s beloved novel to the London stage were first announced back in 2016 but failed to materialise. This will reportedly change, with the show set to finally premiere later this year.

https://theatrefan.co.uk/rumour-brokeback-mountain-stage-adaptation-set-for-london-premiere/

This is true. Two young American actors (both with stage experience: one is a Tony nominee and the other is an Oscar nominee) are starring and it is hoping to come to Broadway next year.

Thanks Jacob, I always thought this could be a lovely play.

Reviews should be up later as tonight it officially opens (May 18), but there are some preview reviews online already.

Jordan Catalano said: "curious for these reviews. I wasn’t very taken with this production at all. The songs served no real purpose but to set the tone of the scene and while sung well, an underscoring would have done the same job and, I think, done it more successfully.

I just came out of this short “Cliffs Notes” version of the story wanting to watch the film. I can’t really fault either of the performances, they did a fine job but the whole time I was just thinking about how much more powerful Ledger/Gyllenhaal were in the roles."

I 100 percent agree with this. The whole thing just seemed...there, fine, OK. And yes, underscoring would have worked just as well.

The novella is very slim but seeing as most people know the story through the film (MOST, not everyone before at least one person comes screaming at me saying I said that) this seems extremely slimmed down.

** from The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/brokeback-mountain-play-review-lucas-hedges-b2341479.html

Daily Mail "A Mountaintop Yawnfest"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12101103/Steamy-cowboy-encounter-mountaintop-yawnfest-LUKE-JONES-reviews-Brokeback-Mountain.html

The Telegraph: "Staged with more efficiency than intensity"

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/brokeback-mountain-sohoplace-review-proulxs-gay-love-story/

Theatre Weekly: "Something very special indeed"

https://theatreweekly.com/review-brokeback-mountain-at-sohoplace/

I thought there would some negative reviews with some writers either comparing it to or, complaining that it isn't, the film. There were also a number of pre-opening pieces calling it Brokeback Mountain: the Musical which, if they had bothered to read the PR for the show or read the interviews with the creatives, it definitely is not.

I can't read the Telegraph or (London) Times reviews as they are behind a paywall but wouldn't be surprised if they are negative. The Daily Mail has the agenda-disclosing line: "The night I went, there was no queue for the ladies loo. The house was packed with gay men of a certain age, expecting something special. But I watched as yawns set off yawns, like mouse traps setting off mouse traps. Adapting a much-loved film is no safe bet." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12101103/Steamy-cowboy-encounter-mountaintop-yawnfest-LUKE-JONES-reviews-Brokeback-Mountain.html



However, there were a number of thoughtful and positive reviews:

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/may/19/brokeback-mountain-review-sohoplace-london

https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/brokeback-mountain-review-sohoplace-mike-faist-lucas-hedges-ashley-robinson-dan-gillespie-sells-annie-proulx-london The star ratings for The Stage are a little weird, in my opinion. Three stars for this show but the reviewer clearly liked it and wrote a thoughtful piece.

https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/brokeback-mountain-review-soho-place

https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/review-of-brokeback-mountain-sohoplace/

https://www.westendbestfriend.co.uk/news/review-brokeback-mountain-sohoplace



I hope to see it soon. Word of mouth is excellent and I haven't been to @sohoplace. It's the first new-build theater in the West End for fifty years.



edit:

plus the Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/brokeback-mountain-sohoplace-review-mike-faist-lucas-hedges-b1082228.html

Updated On: 5/19/23 at 12:08 PM