Sophie Reid appears as Lureen and Waitress in Nica Burns’ world premiere stage adaptation of Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, by Ashley Robinson, songs by Dan Gillespie Sells and directed by Jonathan Butterell.
The production stars Tony and BAFTA Award nominated Mike Faist and Academy Award nominated Lucas Hedges and is running at @sohoplace until 12 August 2023.
Sophie Reid plays Lureen/Waitress and Understudy Alma/Balladeer/Jack’s Mother. She is a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and was nominated for best newcomer at SXSW in 2017 for her performance as Sinaloa in Barracuda. Publishing under the name REID, Sophie has performed as a spoken word artist/ musician at festivals such as Latitude, SXSW, Edinburgh Festival, The Big Retreat & Unearthed.
You’re currently appearing in the stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, what can you tell us about the show?
Brokeback Mountain is a story of how fear gets in the way of love. It’s told through the relationship of two cowboys that spans twenty years in Wyoming USA and is accompanied by a live country band who act as the emotional undercurrent of the piece.
What was it about this script and the inclusion of music that made you so keen to be a part of it?
I make my own music and films and am currently preparing to record my debut album Lone Wolf which is country/ folk/blues inspired. It’s a musical world I’m very in love with and any chance I get to tell stories that stem from that world I’m generally keen to take.
Brokeback Mountain is such a story but it was actually meeting the director Jonathan Butterell that really made me want to come on board – what he wanted to honour about the human condition through Ashley Robinson’s subtle and visceral script made me incredibly excited to be a part of the project.
Tell us a little about the roles you play?
I play Lureen: the wife of Jack Twist, I’m a backing vocalist in the band and I also feature as the undeniable Waitress ‘Angel’ who will steal your heart and doesn’t take any s**t. I also cover Emily Fairn and Eddi Reader in their roles as Alma and the Balladeer.
What’s been the biggest challenge for you in performing in this play?
The stillness. I sit as part of the band and provide an important plot twist for our audience near the end of the play so there’s a lot of waiting and listening and immersing myself in what the boys are doing before I have to be ready to go – a lot of focus is required.
And what’s been your favourite moment of the run so far?
There are so many but seeing my fellow understudy Tom Mahy smash it out the park has to take the prize. He is one of the most exhilarating, exciting and dedicated actors to have graced the West End this year.
What’s it been like working with people like Mike Faist, Lucas Hedges and Eddi Reader?
When I found out I was covering Eddi Reader I was joyfully intimidated – Eddi is the real deal when it comes to knowing how to put a song across, I trained in Glasgow and we would listen to her over Burns Night suppers so singing with her is a pinch me moment every night.
Lucas and I share a special and unusual scene together every night and I find him to be a generous, endlessly spontaneous and incredibly intriguing person to work with and Mike Faist is a true company leader – super focused, hard working and joyful to be around “Come on now!”
What would you say to anyone thinking about booking to see Brokeback Mountain?
You are making a wise choice with your coin and we are looking forward to seeing you BUT do remember to go for a wee before the show starts because there’s no interval and you’re not going to want to miss a thing.
