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<\/p>\nGreetings from London. The second stop on my world trip was packed with theatre, and I\u2019ve identified a serious problem. Actors in stage shows based on a film inevitably come up short compared to their celluloid counterparts. Original plays have less baggage. Nobody knows what the first Juliet was like \u2013 except she was probably played by some guy bounding about in a frock. In Florida, he\u2019d be arrested!<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m going to start with the stage adaptation of Brokeback<\/em><\/strong> Mountain<\/em><\/strong>. Full disclosure \u2013 I\u2019m not a fan of the film. What can I say? Long, lingering shots of vistas and sheep don\u2019t do it for me. This play goes back to the original short story by Annie Proulx <\/strong>and clocks in at 90 minutes. I like my plays like I like my men \u2013 in and out. In a cast that couldn\u2019t be bettered, Lucas Hedges <\/strong>plays Ennis and Mike Faist <\/strong>takes on Jack \u2013 certainly two of the most talented, dynamic and attractive actors today. Ennis is a man of few words, guarded, and unable to be honest\u2026even with himself. Jack is more boisterous, expressive, and somewhat reckless. When Faist smiles, he lights up a room. He\u2019s so charismatic, he virtually eclipses everything around him. That\u2019s not to say that Hedges doesn\u2019t hold his own. Given his character\u2019s demeanor, his outbursts allow him to show terrific range without veering into caricature. Both are accomplished and brave portrayals. Because I know you\u2019ll ask, there isn\u2019t any real nudity. You get to see both men\u2019s torsos and bums quite often. And at one point, Faist is lying on his back nude. He swings his legs in the air to get out of bed, and you got a glimpse of\u2026well, you get the idea.<\/p>\n The play is presented as a memory piece, with the older Ennis onstage throughout. Nothing against actor Paul Hickey<\/strong>, but at times it felt like a lecherous older man was watching two hot young guys canoodling. I found it a bit voyeuristic and icky. Even with this caveat, I heartily recommend the thoroughly engaging show and look forward to seeing where it goes after London \u2013 and who will play the roles. By the by, it\u2019s staged at @SohoPlace<\/em>, which is not only a terrific venue, but the first new theatre in the West End <\/em>in over 50 years!<\/p>\n