The Harder They Come by Suzan-Lori Parks – ★★★★★
West Kingston, 1971.
The Stratford East stage is a alive with the sounds and colours of Jamaica’s capital, home to men and women of God, men on both sides the law, women of the night and all those in between. From the first words sung in The Harder They Come, you can sense the story we are about to witness is an exciting one, and it does not dissapoint. This original musical based on the cult classic film that “brought reggae to the world” is a story of passion, love and fighting for your right to live life on your own terms. With musical numbers that dazzle, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Matthew Xia directs a truly beautiful show.
Adapted by Suzan Lori-Parks, The Harder They Come trails the tragic story of Ivan (Natey Jones), a country boy with big dreams to make it as a star in the big city.“See those stars up there? Well, there are stars down here on earth and I’m going to be one of them. Big and bright and shining forever” he vows. Simon Kenny’s set transports us to the streets of “funky, funky Kingston”, embedding us in the market streets and verandas of the vibrant city.
The ensemble cast introduce us to the wiles of life, before Ivan gets acclimatised. It’s in his opening scenes we get an introduction to the head strong nature of our anti-hero, one that persists in every situation he lands himself in.
He goes toe-to-toe with the Preacher (Jason Pennycooke) standing between him and the love of his life, Mr Hilton (Thomas Vernal) the record company owner that tries to swindle him, Ray (Craig Blake) top cop of the street, and friend-turned foe Jose (Danny Bailey). Ivan refuses to give in to anyone standing in his way, and realises that even more than his dream of being a reggae star, he wants freedom and justice for himself and for his people, and to hell with anyone who tries to stop him.
The Harder They Come is a story of hubris, as it is this admirable strength that besets Ivan, and he holds fasts to it throughout.
The musical does brilliantly to combine humour, rhythm and political ideas without oversimplifying or being preachy. Themes of resistance and protest are present throughout the story, and the story opens up our minds to the fluidity of morality in Jamaica’s culture. There is a juxtaposition of the religious and the secular, depicted in the play’s imagery and dialogue, a testament to the original story and Xia and Lori-Parks’ collaboration.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the show is wild. You can never predict where the plot is going, so you are kept in a thrilling state of suspense. Infusing reggae, lover’s rock, gospel and protest music the play shows the variation of music, one of Jamaica’s greatest exports.
The energy throughout is exhilarating and the vocal performances from the cast are just incredible. A stunning combination of choreography and beautiful musical arrangements brings the theatre to life. Madeline Charlemagne shines as Ivan’s wife Elsa, her angelic voice and gentle but solid performance balances easily with Jones’ fire and the pair are tender to watch.
There are some choppy moments, as the play speeds through the world building early on in the play, which feels normal for a show packed with so much. The curtain call is a party in itself, and we’re left with the resounding call to action that “you can get it if you really want”.
The Harder They Come comes as another win for Stratford East, marking the end of what has been a great year for diverse and important stories. The play’s end is bittersweet, but its light is enduring, and a play I will be in a hurry to see again.
★★★★★
By Melody Adebisi
The Harder They Come is showing at the Stratford East Theatre until 1 November.
