The Harder They Come

Theatre Royal Stratford East and UK Arts Productions present

The Harder They Come

by Perry Henzell

Directed by Kerry Michael and Dawn Reid Designed by Ultz Choreographed by Jackie Guy Lighting Design – Jo Joelson Sound Design – Stefan Lumsden Music Supervisor – Geraldine Connor

Based on the film, The Harder They Come, produced and directed by Perry Henzell, co-written with Trevor Rhone.

Following two sell out runs at Theatre Royal Stratford East and a season at the Barbican, The Harder They Come comes to Birmingham Hippodrome for its only out of London performances.

Based on the iconic seventies film that launched Jimmy Cliff on world stage, this exhilarating production tells the story of Ivan Martin, the country boy who makes for the bright lights of Kingston with a head full of songs, and dreams of becoming a reggae star.

But when the harsh reality of the Jamaican music scene drives him into a fast and furious life as an outlaw, he would rather die than kill his dream!

With a reggae band on stage, all the classic songs from the film’s soundtrack are there – including You Can Get it if you Really Want, Many Rivers to Cross – and, of course, the title song.

A remarkable show, which brings the film that marked a defining moment in Jamaican culture live on stage!

“The evening is an astonishment in every way; an exhilarating bleeding-at-the-edges slice of Jamaican life that feels as if life, music and dance are all one……Deserves to run longer than the rivers of Babylon” – The Guardian **