The Harder They Come - Stratford East: Overflowing with talent and bursting with funk, heart and bite – Stratford East has a hit on its hands.

The Harder They Come at Stratford East. Image by Danny Kaan.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ - 90% • 2 minutes 40 seconds read time

The Harder They Come at Stratford East transports audiences to 1970s Jamaica and we meet Ivan - aspiring musician with big dreams who arrives in Kingston from the countryside, and he’s a little bit green. But after signing with a power hungry music mogul who takes more than he gives, Ivan begins to see the world as it is - hard, unjust, and intentionally rigged in favour of the few.

Adapted from Jamaica’s first ever feature film, The Harder They Come combines the music of Jimmy Cliff with a book and new songs by Suzan-Lori Parks. It has the makings of a jukebox musical but never feels contrived. Rather than bending a story to fit pre-existing tracks, the songs feel organically woven into Ivan’s narrative. Suzan-Lori’s new songs fit alongside Jimmy Cliff’s classics seamlessly - if you didn’t know when walking in that new songs had been added, you’d be forgiven for assuming they were all from his discography.

The music is supported perfectly by Shelley Maxwell’s choreography, which is a vibrant highlight. Authentic to Jamaican dance styles, it is playful, sensual, and heaps of fun. And it helps that the whole cast is filled with people who are full of rhythm and can deliver the choreo to its fullest potential.

And what a cast it is. Brimming with some of the finest talent London theatre has to offer, there are no weak links here. Madeline Charlemagne is magnetic as Elsa – headstrong, heartfelt, passionate, proud, and with enviable vocal prowess. Even when struck with a technical issue that left her without a mic, she powered through a major solo with such control and strength that she still reached us all and the whole theatre sat spellbound.

Her chemistry with Natey Jones’ Ivan gives the story its beating heart. Jones is a commanding leading man – charming, fiery, and gifted with vocals that soar. You root for him completely, even as his choices grow darker. He is captivating, drawing you fully in. You want him to succeed, you want him to become a star, and you want him to survive in a world built against him.

Elsewhere, Danny Bailey delivers scene-stealing comedy as José. He’s the comedic centre of the show, but this role gives him the scope to show the full range of what he can do, and he absolutely does it. Simon-Anthony Roden lends Pedro a quiet gravitas - a thoughtful and considered performance.  Thomas Vernal makes Mr Hilton formidable, a character you love to dislike yet cannot quite resist. Jason Pennycooke’s Preacher is both tragic and menacing, a reminder of his extraordinary stage presence. Ensemble members too seize their moments – Lauren Azania shines in a solo, Newtion Matthews draws belly laughs at every entrance and exit, and the ensemble’s collective energy elevates the show throughout. The trio of Charlemagne, Jones and Josie Benson singing Many Rivers to Cross is can only be described as simply breathtaking. In fact it was in that performance the show secured its 5 star rating for me.

I feel that maybe the highest praise I can give the cast - and also casting director Heather Basten - is that there isn’t one single standout. Everyone is magnificent, no one overshadowing others, none shining at the expense of others chance to do so. A cohesive company, all elevating each other to such heights.

All of this is held together under the assured direction of Matthew Xia. Projections are used thoughtfully, supporting rather than overwhelming the set design, and enhancing the sense of place. If there are tweaks to be made, Act One feels slightly overlong while Act Two feels slightly too quick - perhaps a look at rebalancing the timings would elevate it further still. Ending the final scene just a shade earlier might also heighten its impact. Yet these are small notes in what is otherwise a masterful production.

The Harder They Come is filled with heart, funk and political bite. Its message – about inequality, ambition and resilience – feels as relevant now as it did in the 1970s. With its run already extended, audiences clearly agree. Catch it at Stratford East until 1 November – but book quickly, demand is high!