- Two-time Olivier winner Denise Gough returns to the West End in a new stage adaptation of High Noon.
- Eric Roth’s adaptation, directed by Thea Sharrock, co-stars Billy Crudup.
- The production opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre in December 2025 and explores courage and integrity.
H2: Denise Gough headlines High Noon on the West End
Irish actor Denise Gough, a two-time Olivier Award winner, will lead the West End production of High Noon this December. The play is a stage adaptation of the 1952 Hollywood classic — an allegorical western long read as a commentary on the Hollywood blacklist — and promises a fresh take under the pen of screenwriter Eric Roth and director Thea Sharrock.
H3: A high-profile creative team and cast
Eric Roth, known for Forrest Gump and Dune, has reworked the screenplay for the stage. Thea Sharrock, whose credits include Equus and After the Dance, directs. Gough will co-star with Billy Crudup, who joins the West End after his recent stage appearances. Producers describe the production as “not just a play – it’s a wake-up call,” framing the story around courage, integrity and personal responsibility.
H3: Where and when to see it
High Noon will play at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End from December 2025. Tickets are available through official box offices and authorised sellers. Audiences can expect an intimate, urgent staging that foregrounds moral choice and the public consequences of private acts.
H2: Denise Gough’s career highlights ahead of High Noon
Gough, born in Wexford and raised in County Clare, trained at London’s Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and graduated in 2003. She won Olivier Awards for her performances in People, Places and Things (Best Actress) and Angels in America (Best Actress in a Supporting Role). Her stage work spans classical and contemporary plays, including The Duchess of Malfi and revivals at the National Theatre.
On screen, Gough reached wider audiences as Dedra Meero in the Star Wars spinoff Andor. She also led the TV drama Paula and earned a BAFTA nomination for Too Close in 2022. Gough has been open about her personal journey — including early homelessness and recovery — and is known for speaking out on social and political issues.
H3: Returning to themes of courage and conscience
High Noon’s story — a marshal who must decide whether to stand and face danger alone — resonates with the political and moral themes Gough has engaged with in her public life and previous roles. Reviewers have repeatedly praised her ability to bring emotional intensity and moral clarity to demanding parts, qualities likely to shape this new production.
H2: What to expect from the production
Expect a performance-driven staging with strong character focus. With Roth’s adaptation and Sharrock’s direction, the show is billed as a contemporary take that will highlight the story’s allegorical teeth for modern audiences. The production’s West End home at the Harold Pinter Theatre suggests a compact, intense theatrical experience.
For tickets and performance dates, check the Harold Pinter Theatre box office and official theatre listings.
Image Referance: https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/learn-about-denise-goughs-career-ahead-of-high-noon
