about Brokeback Mountain

Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in Brokeback Mountain @sohoplace, sitting next to the campfire

★★★★★

'A powerful and enticing production'

Broadway World

★★★★

'One of the most heartbreaking queer stories ever told’

Attitude

★★★★

'Even better than the film'

Sunday Times

Watch our trailer on YouTube

The world premiere of Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells and based on Annie Proulx’s short story, is now playing @sohoplace. Directed by Jonathan Butterell, Brokeback Mountain stars Mike Faist as Jack and Lucas Hedges as Ennis, both making their West End stage debuts. The production sees Jonathan Butterell and Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling), creators of the hit musical and film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, reuniting with Producer Nica Burns.

Wyoming 1963: a wild landscape where people live in extreme rural poverty in tight, insular and conservative communities. When Ennis and Jack take jobs on the isolated Brokeback Mountain, all their certainties of life change forever as they flounder in unexpected emotional waters of increasing depth. Dan Gillespie Sells’ beautiful Country and Western songs weave heartbreakingly through this intense tale of an irresistible and hidden love spanning twenty years and its tragic consequences.

This is a play with original music by Dan Gillespie Sells, performed by the extraordinary singer, Eddi Reader, joined by her onstage Country and Western band: Sean Green (piano/Musical Director), Meelie Traill (upright bass), Greg Miller (harmonica) and BJ Cole (pedal steel guitar).

Running for a limited season until 12 August 2023.

 

Annie Proulx said: “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.”

Ashley Robinson said: “I’m honoured to be entrusted by Annie Proulx to bring new life in new form to her timeless and universal story. A story that means so much to so many, and will surely mean as much to a whole new generation.

Dan Gillespie Sells’ powerful and beautiful songs, sung by “The Balladeer,” give voice to the tumultuous inner landscape of our wannabe cowboys (both young men of few words), and provide the scope of our vast and brutal outer landscape, not to mention allowing Proulx’s poetic prose to literally sing.

Grateful as all hell to reunite with Jonathan Butterell and to put this piece in his skilled and sensitive hands—what lucky actors, what a lucky team, and what a lucky production, all coming together under Nica Burns, in her marvel of a new space, @sohoplace. Let’s ride.”

Jonathan Butterell said: “When Ashley approached us about collaborating on Brokeback Mountain we were struck immediately by his deep connection to the world and community that Annie has so brilliantly written about over the years. He brought to the adaptation an authenticity and an understanding of these working class men, scraping to survive the harsh brutality of their environment and the insularity of thinking surrounding them, which ultimately leads to their tragedy.”

Dan Gillespie Sells said: “I have loved working on this project with Ashley and Jonathan. The material and this complex story is inspiring to compose for. I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with a genre of music I grew up with and using it to serve the drama of each moment. Plus I get to work with some legendary artists which is such an honour and a joy.”

Nica Burns, Producer, said: “I am excited that our fourth production @sohoplace, Brokeback Mountain, is our first world premiere. In the intimate, intense auditorium that is @sohoplace, our production concentrates on the relationship between our two lead characters with Eddi Reader’s memorable voice adding to the heartbreak as the soundtrack of their lives. To have Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges, two outstanding young American actors playing Jack and Ennis is a real coup. We are thrilled.”

 

Our Official Hotel Partner is The Londoner.

londoner

Brokeback Mountain reviews

★★★★★

'A powerful and enticing production'

Broadway World

★★★★

'A gem of a show'

Evening Standard

★★★★

'Lucas Hedges and Mike Faist are splendid'

iNews

★★★★

‘Brokeback is still moving mountains 20 years on’

Metro

★★★★

'One of the most heartbreaking queer stories ever told’

Attitude

★★★★

'Even better than the film'

Sunday Times

★★★★

'Electrifying'

Sunday Express

★★★★

'Compelling'

Guardian

Brokeback Mountain cast

Brokeback Mountain creatives

Annie Proulx Original Short Story
Ashley Robinson Playwright
Dan Gillespie Sells Songs
Jonathan Butterell Director
Tom Pye Set & Costume Design
David Finn Lighting Design
Christopher Shutt Sound Design
Shaheen Baig Casting Director
Nimmo Ismail Associate Director
Tommy Ross-Williams Intimacy Director
Kevin McCurdy Fight Director
Phil Wilding Production Manager
Zeb Lalljee Costume Supervisor
Sam Cox Wigs Maker/Supervisor
Lily Mollgaard Props Supervisor
Jo Nastari Associate Intimacy Director
Mary Irwin & Ben Furey Vocal/Dialect Coach
Nica Burns Producer
Adam Blanshay Productions Producer
Lambert Jackson Producer
Katy Lipson for
Aria Entertainment
Producer

Please note: Photography and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited. This production contains smoking of cigarettes, a loud gunshot and partial nudity.
The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist at any performance, as this is subject to a variety of factors including illness, injury, or events beyond the producers’ control. No refunds or exchanges will be offered as a result of an artist’s unavailability to perform at any performance.

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