High Noon at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre – a very pleasant surprise – Yee Haw!
Based on the 1952 film (known as one of the greatest westerns ever made) the World Premiere of HIGH NOON at Harold Pinter Theatre, has been adapted for the stage by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Dune) and Directed by Thea Sharrock.
The Story
Taking place (almost in real time), over the course of a single morning in the New Mexico town of Hadleyville, Police Marshal Will Kane, played by Billy Crudup (The Morning Show, The Coast of Utopia) has just married Amy Fowler, Denise Gough (Andor, People, Places & Things) a Quaker who is opposed to violence, and is preparing to retire and leave town.
As Will hands over his police badge, in anticipation of his new life ahead, he learns that Frank Miller, a violent outlaw he once arrested, has been released from prison and is arriving on the noon train to seek revenge.
Within minutes of being married, Will is forced to decide between his moral responsibility to fight for justice and the vows he has just made to his new wife, for his new life.
It is a story of Courage vs. Cowardice, Justice vs. Peace, Duty vs. Desire and a love tested by impossible choices.
My thoughts
High Noon is beautifully written and feels familiar, like an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Interspersed with snippets of recognisable songs (Bruce Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’ amongst them), it isn’t a musical but uses music to portray the heart of the town.
The lighting, sound and even a little dancing really brought the show to life, in what is not a very happy story. Even the set design felt so well thought out, I thought I could smell the sawdust from my seat.
Did I like the story? Not really. In 2026 it seemed like a strange tale to tell but it was executed so perfectly, it is impossible to fault.
The Cast
One of my favourite stage actors, Denise Gough, always gives 100% to her performance and leaves her heart on the stage. From her heart wrenching performances in shows like Angels In America and People, Places and Things, it was nice to see a slightly lighter side to her character as Amy.
Star of Apply TV’s The Morning Show, Billy Crudup plays police officer Will well but feels like a very safe character for him to play. There’s little depth to him and the character does not have a lot of likeable qualities but it is played well.
Rosa Salazar as Will’s ex-lover and secret Salloon Owner, Helen Ramirez, shines in this story as the empowering female figure with balls of steel. There are some nice feminist touches in the play, none better demonstrated than by Rosa’s character.
The rest of the cast play secondary to the others but each have their own importance for being on the stage to fill out the story.
- Billy Howle: Harvey Pell (Deputy)
- Simon Chandler: Howe, Minister
- James Doherty: Judge, Frank Miller, Gillis
- Misha Handley: Johnny
- Joshua Hill: Ben Miller, Station Master, Cooper
- Jonah Russell: Robert Jones, Scott, JP Pierce
- Rebecca Lee: Mildred Jones
- Tim Steed: Henderson, Clerk, Charlie
- Lorena Andrea: Ensemble / Harriet Cooper
- George Kemp: Ensemble / Ezra
- Luke Lowry: Ensemble / Sawyer
- Noel White: Ensemble / Lewis
Final Thought
High Noon was a very pleasant surprise. As someone who is not a great fan of Country and Western films, I went along to this somewhat reluctantly but the story is so beautifully written and put together on stage that the somewhat dull storyline feels irrelevant. It seems you actually can polish a turd.
★★★★★
West End Wilma
High Noon is playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 7 March 2026
