Production images released for UK premiere of musical adaptation of The Harder They Come

Stratford East has released new production images for the UK premiere of The Harder They Come, a vibrant new reggae musical based on the iconic 1972 Jamaican film. Adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia, the show marks a highly anticipated return to the very theatre where an earlier stage version first debuted in 2006.

The musical tells the story of Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston with dreams of becoming a music superstar. After getting caught in a rigged record deal, he defiantly rebels against the system, rising both in the music charts and on the most-wanted list. The production poses a central question to the audience: "What is the personal cost of fighting against systemic injustice?"

This powerful adaptation features a sensational soundtrack, including new songs and many of Jimmy Cliff’s original hits like "You Can Get It If You Really Want" and "Many Rivers to Cross." The cast features Natey Jones in the lead role of Ivan, supported by Danny Bailey, Josie Benson, and Jason Pennycooke, among others.

Presented by Stratford East in association with Washington Square Films, the show runs until Saturday, October 25. With its unmissable soundtrack and compelling narrative, The Harder They Come promises to be a powerful and unforgettable theatrical experience that transports audiences to 1970s Jamaica.