Brokeback Mountain is coming to the London stage

A decade on from Ang Lee’s iconic movie adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, a theatre version of Brokeback Mountain is set to hit the London stage next year.

Producer Tom O’Connell has acquired the rights to Annie Preloux’s award-winning short story, which tells the tale of two ranchers in 1960s Wyoming who embark on a forbidden life-long affair, GT reports.

Announcing the news, O’Connell said: “I am honoured to bring Annie Proulx’s beloved story to the stage as a new play that celebrates her compelling writing and will bring a new perspective on this heart-warming tale of an unbreakable bond.

“I’ve been extremely lucky in my career to produce plays which challenge, inspire and educate as much as they entertain; the struggles that the characters of Brokeback Mountain go through are still present in the world today, making the piece as relevant as ever. I am very much looking forward to working alongside Annie with a first-class creative team to bring Jack and Ennis’ story to new audiences.”

Author Annie Proulx added: “I am looking forward with sharp anticipation to the stage interpretation of the star- crossed lovers of Brokeback Mountain who moved from the page to the screen and now, under the skilled hand of producer Tom O’Connell and the sensibilities of the company, to the stage – a strange journey for two messed-up wannabe cow-hands from Wyoming.

“The actors who pull on their scuffed-up boots will step into a difficult time in a hard place.”

Jake Gyllenhaal recently spoke about the legacy of Brokeback Mountain, admitting that while he and Heath Ledger felt “uncomfortable” filming some scenes for the 2005 romantic drama, they “both deeply believed” in the film’s message.

The movie version’s infamous tent encounter between Jack and Ennis recently came third in a poll of Britain’s favourite ever sex scenes – find out what else made the list here.

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