At noon, there is nowhere left to hide. As time steadily ticks towards its fatal hour, High Noon reminds us that life is shaped by moral choices and fragile relationships during the world premiere run of this new stage production at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
Based on the classic American Western film High Noon (1952), the story unfolds in real time and centres on Marshal Will Kane as he grapples with the decision of facing a gang of returning killers or searching for a new life with his wife, Amy Fowler Kane. Featuring a formidable original cast, the film has long been regarded as one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Despite being riddled with controversy and blacklisting upon its initial release, the themes of morality, courage and personal responsibility remain applicable in the modern world.
The stage retelling boasts an impressive creative team, with Oscar Award winning Eric Roth as screenwriter and Olivier Award winning Thea Sharrock as director at the helm of the production. Staying faithful to the movie, the show mirrors the real-time structure and closely follows the narrative and characters. The cast includes notable names such as Billy Crudup, Denise Gough, Billy Howle and Rosa Salazar, raising expectations. With limited knowledge of the original film, I approached this production with intrigue, particularly eager to return to the Harold Pinter Theatre ahead of Romeo and Juliet later this year. With the show still in previews until next Friday, there is still opportunity to improve if necessary. But did High Noon live up to the film’s legacy and my own expectations?
The Harold Pinter Theatre is one of the best venues for this production, as the theatre itself lends well to the atmosphere on stage. It is also not too large, housing around 800 seats, making this new production’s development feel less daunting. In terms of the set, the stage is surrounded by wooden pallets, which immerse the audience in the Western town moderately well. The lighting coming through the pallets is pleasing to look at, helping to build tension at times. Set pieces are brought on by the company and have multiple uses (some serving as a table, wagon, etc.). Similarly, the costumes worn by the cast are period-specific and work well within the environment. A standout moment has to be the arrival of the noon train, creating an atmosphere that is tense and deeply concerning for the main characters.
Throughout the show, there is a clock hanging in the middle of the stage, counting down to the final confrontation. This was a unique feature, though I felt the clock was not consistent in its movement. One section in particular towards the end seemed to have the clock speed up. This may improve once the preview period is finished. Similarly, while the clock is intended to build tension, this effect is somewhat lost due to the repetition of similar scenes. The piece could easily cut a few moments to increase tension and reduce the runtime to nearer an hour and a half, as characters repeatedly urge Will to run a few too many times. I appreciated the more joyful beginning, but there were scenes in the second half that felt out of place, leaning more towards comedy.
The production includes a few musical moments in which characters sing. These sometimes feel slightly forced and would have worked better in a musical adaptation. I actually feel the story would translate incredibly well as a musical, akin to shows such as Girl From the North Country or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Regardless of these thoughts, I enjoyed the production and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre, giving it around a 3/5 in its current stage of development.
The acting throughout the production ranges from phenomenal to slightly forced interactions at times. The show features a strong ensemble of secondary characters who are vital to the story, including Noel White, Luke Lowry, George Kemp, Lorena Andrea, Tim Steed, Jonah Russell, Rebecca Lee, Joshua Hill, Misha Handley, James Doherty and Simon Chandler. This entire cast did a great job, frequently switching between characters. A particular standout has to be Misha Handley as Johnny. Throughout the show, he delivers some of the strongest acting and also plays a musical instrument: making him incredibly multi-talented. At times, the dialogue felt slightly forced, but this is something that could be smoothed out during the preview period.
Billy Howle plays Harvey Pell, the deputy marshal who hopes to succeed Will. His character is morally questionable throughout the show, giving Howle a wide range of emotions to explore on stage. His dynamics with both Salazar and Crudup were believable, resulting in a well-rounded character. Howle was also particularly impressive during the fight choreography with Crudup: another standout moment of the show.
Rosa Salazar plays Helen Ramirez, the saloon owner who was once an old flame of Will and is now intertwined with Harvey. Salazar is one of the major standout performers in this production, alongside Handley. The way she embodies the character is brilliant, making for a strong and compelling portrayal. Her dynamics with the rest of the cast are also incredibly strong, contributing to an engaging experience.
Denise Gough plays Amy Fowler, Will’s wife, who encourages him to flee rather than face the gang. Gough’s character is complex, with much riding on the upcoming confrontation. She navigates these emotions well, showing care and thought behind each of Amy’s decisions. Gough also sings more than any other character. Her voice is incredible on stage and she would be a top choice if this story were ever adapted into a full musical.
Billy Crudup plays Marshal Will Kane, a retiring lawman grappling with the moral decision of fighting the gang or fleeing with his new wife. I had never seen Crudup perform before, but his acting was impressive. I particularly enjoyed his fight choreography alongside Howle, and he successfully anchors the production. Will is a complex character, and Crudup captures this effectively throughout the show.
High Noon rides on until March 6th. Saddle up and book your tickets now!
Max
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