Review: HIGH NOON at Harold Pinter Theatre

With both Crudup and his co-star Denise Gough proving talented stage performers in their last outings (this reviewer awarded 5 stars to both Harry Clarke at the Ambassadors, and People, Places and Things at the Trafalgar in 2024), expectations were understandably running high for this production. What a shame then that the idea to have the play deliver its story in real time, falls flat and ultimately proves more mule, than stallion.

Marshal Kane is finally hanging up his tin badge and laying down his guns to marry widowed Quaker Amy Fowler. Those gathered for the simple ceremony shower the Marshal with praise for keeping them safe and eradicating lawlessness in their town. News of the imminent return of Frank Miller (James Doherty) sends them into a panic, but whilst others who were involved in the original conviction plan to leave town, Kane knows he must break his promise to Amy, and face the inevitable show down, with little support from those around him.

This simple fable about honour and doing the right thing when faced with tough situations, alone would be insufficient to carry a near 2 hour running time, so writer Eric Roth has dedicated considerable energy to enhancing two sub-plots. These involve a bitter deputy Harvey Pell (Billy Howle) who thinks himself as good as Kane and that his promotion to Marshal has been deliberately held back by the older man. And his lover Helen Ramirez (the eminently watchable Rosa Salazar) a redoubtable businesswoman of Mexican heritage who unbeknownst to the town is half owner of the saloon and more significantly, Kane’s former lover.

Above Tim Hatley’s rough, wooden planked set, sits a huge yellowing clock face. Its countdown heralds the arrival of the noon day train, aboard which will be travelling the once convicted local gunslinger, who the folks upstate have seen fit to release back into the world. This decision is ridiculed during an emergency meeting of the townsfolk when someone suggests it’s a sad day when you can’t trust your politicians — causing the only collective audience titter of the evening.

Incongruously, Gough gets to sing several laments during the course of proceedings and songs (notably by Bruce Springsteen, Ry Cooder, The Chicks and others) are sung during proceedings. Their inclusion hardly constitutes describing the production as a musical, but they serve to offer relief from the otherwise often plodding narrative where tension manages to simmer but never quite reaches boiling point in director Thea Sharrock’s production.

Among the great many celebrities ranged around the supportive auditorium on press night, were Andy Serkis, Pierce Brosnan, and Charles Dance. The production plays without interval and is due to continue its run at Harold Pinter until 7 March.

High Noon Tickets