Full casting announced for hit reggae musical THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East
Full casting has been announced for the critically acclaimed reggae musical THE HARDER THEY COME, which returns to Stratford East from 16 May – 4 July after playing to packed houses last year.
Based on the cult Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone, THE HARDER THEY COME brought reggae to the world. The stage adaptation is by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia.
As previously announced, Natey Jones reprises his role as Ivan and Madeline Charlemagne also returns as Elsa until 6 June, sharing the role with Chanice Alexander-Burnett, who will take over as Elsa from 8 June.
Also returning to the cast are Danny Bailey as José, Ashh Blackwood (Ensemble), Craig Blake as Ray, Aisha Davis (Ensemble/Cover Daisy), Kage Douglas (Ensemble/On Stage Swing/Dance Captain), Robert Grose (Ensemble/Cover Ray), Jack Matthew (Ensemble/Cover José & Pedro), Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Pedro, and Thomas Vernal as Mr. Hilton.
New company members include: Llewellyn Jamal (Ensemble/Cover Ivan), Rachel John as Daisy, Grace Kanyamibwa (Ensemble/2nd Cover Elsa/Cover Elsa from 8 June), Sophia Mackay (Ensemble/On Stage Swing), Nathaniel Morrison (Ensemble/Cover Preacher & Mr. Hilton), and Ashley Samuels as Preacher.
The Harder They Come tells the story of Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, determined to live out his dreams on his own terms and make it as a music superstar.
After cutting a record deal with a manipulative music mogul, Ivan learns that the game is rigged and becomes increasingly defiant. As his star rises, he finds himself topping the charts and the most-wanted list of criminals. This unmissable show transports audiences to 1970’s Jamaica and asks the question: "What is the personal cost of fighting against systemic injustice?
This staging of the seminal film features a sensational soundtrack with brand-new songs by Suzan-Lori Parks alongside classics by Desmond Dekker and Toots and the Maytals, plus Jimmy Cliff hits including ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ and ‘Many Rivers to Cross’.
The creative team includes set designer Simon Kenny, costume designer Jessica Cabassa, choreographer and intimacy director Shelley Maxwell, lighting designer Ciarán Cunningham, live sound designer Tony Gayle, sound designer - sound effects & soundscape Nicola T. Chang, music supervisor and vocal arranger Ashton Moore, orchestrator and music arranger Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, musical director Luke Bacchus, video designer Gino Ricardo Green, casting director Heather Basten CDG, wigs, hair & makeup designer and supervisor Dominique Hamilton, fight director Claire Llewellyn for RC Annie, voice and dialect coach Aundrea Fudge, and creative and cultural consultant Justine Henzell.
