Brokeback Mountain – Soho Place

Set in the wild Wyoming mountains during the 60s, Brokeback Mountain is based on Annie Proulx’s 1997 short story of the same name about two cowboys, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar working on a ranch who struggle with their feelings for each other in a hostile and unforgiving world. Most will be more familiar with the hit film adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.

Directed by Jonathan Butterell, the story is told through the perspective of an older Ennis (brilliantly played by Paul Hickey), depressed and drinking alone in a bedroom, looking back on his past life with the solemn ‘Don’t Let the Years Get Your Down’ playing on the radio. Hickey appears throughout the story, sorrowfully looking back at his younger self, softly reacting to painful moments and decisions that shaped his lonely present. Although a cliché narrative device, older Ennis was a powerful presence and truly a highlight of the show.

Music is certainly core to this adaptation despite being a play, Dan Gillespie Sells’ songs are predominantly performed by a live band in the corner, weaving between soulful country songs and dialogue, which occasionally helped emphasise potent moments of the show. The music was enjoyable but at times, felt a little out of place, almost dominating over the story on the band more than the characters at times.

At just 90 minutes long, replicating the intimacy and slow burning passion of the film would always be a challenge. Despite the limited time, West Side Story favourite Mike Faist who plays Jack, the reckless rodeo cowboy and rising star Lucas Hedges as the strait-laced repressed Ennis, do an admirable job of exploring their relationship. The growing tension between the pair begins with the odd glance and subtle touch before the final release, a lot more subtle than the film, two bodies intertwined in a small candlelit tent.

Unlike the film, a lot of the more intimate moments are absent, replaced with silences and seem to occur off-stage which is an interesting choice as those moments were what made the story so controversial and arguably popular with critics, when queer love was rarely depicted so openly on film. Both actors were great in their roles, Faist especially offering some comic relief while also showing Jack’s growing frustrations at his secretive relationship, while Hedges played the complexities of Ennis very well. Small moments like him doubling over in pain when he separates from Jack and his disinterest towards his wife Alma (Emily Fairn) as he longs for the sanctuary he found on Brokeback Mountain worked well. Yet, there was a sense that Hedges had more to give, we see Ennis’ anger at his struggle to accept himself almost too late, as being physical seems to replace meaningful interactions for most of the play.

Tom Pye’s staging also draws on absences, with simple furniture and chipped wood, reflecting the desolate landscape and hopeless reality the two cowboys share, just a wooden deck, bed, tent and a burning fire litter the stage. The design worked well in the round staging of Soho Place. With a small number of seats surrounding the stage you were very close to the action which was a great choice for drawing more attention to the relationship between the two men as there was nowhere to hide.

Overall, despite the great chemistry and performance that the duo share, Ashley Robinson’s adaptation doesn’t quite hit the mark, with such a poignant story of romance, it needs a little more time to progress, perhaps more romantic moments between the pair and more about their lives beyond the mountain and how they got to that point would suffice.

Brokeback Mountain is currently playing at Soho Place until 12^th August, you can find out more here:

https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/brokeback-mountain?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxM6__5SE_wIV1PjtCh3DbA9oEAAYAiAAEgIi6_D_BwE

Reviewer: Gemma Prince

Reviewed: 19^th May 2023

North West End UK Rating: