Full cast announced for the UK premiere of THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East.
Stratford East today announces the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of - THE HARDER THEY COME, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name. Adapted by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia, this production marks a powerful return to Stratford East, Saturday 13 September – Saturday 25 October 2025, where the original stage version premiered to acclaim in 2006.
The cast features Danny Bailey as José, Josie Benson as Daisy, Craig Blake as Ray, Madeline Charlemagne as Elsa, Natey Jones as Ivan, Jason Pennycooke as Preacher, Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Pedro, and Thomas Vernal as Hilton.
The ensemble includes Chanice Alexander-Burnett (who also serves as cover for Elsa), Lori Barker (On Stage Swing), Ashh Blackwood, Aisha Davis (who also covers the role of Daisy), Kage Douglas (On Stage Swing), Robert Grose (covering the roles of Ray & José), Lauren Azania AJ King-Yombo, Jack Matthew (covering the role of Pedro), Newtion Matthews (covering the roles of Preacher & Hilton), and Marcellus Whyte (covering the role of Ivan).
Based on the cult classic film that brought reggae to the world, 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 us 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 plus many of Jimmy Cliff's hits including “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and "Many Rivers to Cross”.
Presented by Stratford East in association with Washington Square Films, Joshua Blum & Bruce Miller.