Review: THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East
A Jamaican country boy develops big ideas during a visit to see his mother in the capital Kingston, but finds that making a record and becoming famous proves far trickier and a more convoluted process than he at first imagined.
Image provided by production.
THE HARDER THEY COME is a jukebox musical of banging reggae tunes (plus a few extras) which are woven into the fabric of a fairly formulaic format in which a talented boy meets the girl of his dreams but has to overcome religion, police corruption, the local music king pin and various other obstacles and hurdles as he attempts to realise his dreams and ambitions.
Adapted for the stage by Suzan-Lori Parks, the show is based on Perry Henzell’s 1972 movie of the same name, which starred Jimmy Cliff. The singer of notable tracks like “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, “Many Rivers To Cross” and the title track “The Harder They Come” died last November, so this second run at Stratford East serves as a fitting homage to him and his legacy as one of only four musician recipients of Jamaica’s Order of Merit (the others being Bob Marley, Harry Belafonte and Bunny Wailer).
The show itself boasts an energised ensemble of dancer-singers who maintain a lively pace throughout as an assortment of playful characters which bring the vibrancy of Kingston to life on Stratford East’s stage. Key among them and central to the journey, is Ivan (Natey Jones) who after falling on hard times, takes refuge at a church working as a repairman. It is here that he encounters Elsa (Madeline Charlemagne) who is forever under the watchful eye of her much older guardian and admirer Preacher (Ashley Samuels). When Ivan inveigles his way into the recording studio of Mr Hilton (Thomas Vernal) and creates a surefire hit record, he is disappointed to be offered a contract for a mere $20 and gets his first taste of the realities of the music business.
In director Matthew Xia’s production with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, sexual tension runs through much of the show, which is accompanied by a thread of naivety and innocent optimism, making much of the second half a difficult watch. All-in-all though THE HARDER THEY COME is an absolute blast brought to life by a stage awash with talent and commitment. Notable on the night I attended, were Danny Bailey as José, Rachel John as Daisy, Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Pedro and Craig Blake as Ray, and a terrific band which did absolutely everything to get the party started.
The show is scheduled to continue until 4th July and runs 2hours 30mins with an interval.
