The Harder They Come at Stratford East – review

There’s no understating the cultural significance of The Harder They Come, the 1972 Jamaican film directed by Perry Henzell and starring Jimmy Cliff. As the first feature-length movie ever produced on the island, it was groundbreaking cinema: a film made by and starring Jamaicans, for Jamaicans. The film introduced Jamaica to countless international audiences, brought reggae to the world, and catapulted Jimmy Cliff’s career to international stardom.

Suzan-Lori Parks’ musical adaptation, now playing at Stratford East, transforms this cinematic landmark into something quite different, yet equally compelling. The story follows Ivan (Natey Jones), a country boy with natural singing talent and a gift for writing powerful songs. His dream is simple: to record his music and become a celebrated recording star. Yet his path to success becomes a litany of cruel obstacles.

From the moment Ivan arrives in Kingston, fate seems determined to crush his spirit. Conned out of all his possessions upon arrival, he finds himself destitute, eventually securing shelter and work at a local church where he falls in love with the pastor’s ward. His attempts to secure a music contract lead him to reluctantly sign a deeply unfair deal with a local music mogul and mobster, forcing him into additional work as a drug runner to survive.

As Ivan’s circumstances deteriorate, his unwavering belief in his talent becomes both his salvation and his curse. He confronts religion, corruption, power imbalance, and systemic injustice in his quest for fair treatment and the chance to fulfill his dreams. At every turn, however, he finds himself thwarted by forces beyond his control.

The production features a jukebox soundtrack brimming with some of the most recognised and powerful reggae and gospel tunes of the era. Alongside Jimmy Cliff’s iconic compositions, audiences are treated to songs from Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, and The Melodians, supplemented by additional material from Parks, who also adapted the stage version from the original film.

In her adaptation, Parks has made a bold creative decision: shifting the narrative significantly away from the film’s intense violence to focus instead on Ivan’s emotional journey. The female characters receive more developed storylines, and whilst violence and criminality remain present, they’re suggested rather than graphically depicted. This tonal shift transforms what was once a gritty crime drama into something altogether more uplifting.

The result is a genuinely joyous production that, for the most part, leaves audiences feeling buoyant despite Ivan’s increasingly dire circumstances. The cast collectively excels in bringing this world to life, but Jones truly shines as the eternally hopeful Ivan, imbuing the character with a resilience that proves both inspiring and heartbreaking.

Matthew Xia’s direction crackles with visceral energy, whilst Shelley Maxwell’s choreography gives everything a natural rhythm that permeates the entire production like a collective heartbeat. The staging creates an overall effect that fills audiences with joy, perhaps in spite of, or because of, Ivan’s worsening situation.

The musical numbers are pitch-perfectly executed, showcasing not only the timeless appeal of these reggae classics but also their power to unite and uplift. Each song feels essential to the narrative, never merely decorative, building towards an emotional crescendo that celebrates the indomitable nature of the human spirit.

The Harder They Come is, ultimately, a story about hope and the courage to stand up for what you believe is right. The journey is rarely easy, and often the price paid is extreme, but this appears to be the cost of meaningful change. The musical suggests that whilst the path to justice may be arduous, the fight itself has inherent value.

Fans of the original film may find themselves initially disappointed by the tonal shift this production takes, moving away from the raw, violent realism that made the movie so compelling. However, this stage version offers something the film could not: a significantly more emotionally engaging and ultimately satisfying story. 

This transformation doesn’t diminish the power of the source material but rather demonstrates how great stories can be reimagined for different mediums and audiences. Parks has created something that honours the original whilst standing as a complete work in its own right; a celebration of Jamaican culture, reggae music, and the eternal struggle for dignity and recognition.

The Harder They Come at Stratford East is an absolute treat: a vibrant, moving, and ultimately triumphant piece of musical theatre that reminds us why some songs, and some stories, are truly timeless.