Natey Jones, Madeline Charlemagne and Chanice Alexander-Burnett will star in reggae musical The Harder They Come when it returns to Stratford East for a run of performances between May 16 – July 4, 2026.
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 1970s Jamaica and asks the question: “What is the personal cost of fighting against systemic injustice?”
Jones reprises his role as Ivan and Charlemagne also returns as Elsa until June 6, with Alexander-Burnett taking over the role from June 8.
Based on the Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone, the stage adaptation is by writer Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Matthew Xia.
This staging features a 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 Simon Kenny (set designer), Jessica Cabassa (costume designer), Shelley Maxwell (choreographer & intimacy director), Ciarán Cunningham (lighting designer), Tony Gayle (live sound designer), Nicola T Chang (sound designer – sound effects & soundscape), Ashton Moore (music supervisor & vocal arrangements), Benjamin Kwasi Burrell (orchestrator & music arrangements), Luke Bacchus (musical director), Gino Ricardo Green (video designer), Heather Basten (casting director), Emily Aboud (associate director), Dominique Hamilton (wigs, hair & makeup designer & supervisor), Neisha-yen Jones (associate choreographer), Claire Llewellyn for RC Annie (fight director), Aundrea Fudge (voice and dialect coach) and Justine Henzell (creative and cultural consultant).
Tickets on sale now here.
Top image: The Harder They Fall artwork (image supplied)