THE HARDER THEY COME to 5 April.
London.
THE HARDER THEY COME
by Perry Henzell.
Playhouse Theatre
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Wed & Sat 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.
TICKETS: 08700 606 642.
www.theambassadors.com/playhouse
Review: Geoff Ambler 13 March 2008 at Barbican Theatre.
With a hard hero to like, the music adds needed life to this Jamaican movie on stage.
Based on the 1972 Jamaican film of the same name, this transfer from two acclaimed Stratford East runs hits all the right notes musically, but leaves an uneasy feeling in the message it makes.
Set in Kingston and following the short life of singer Ivan Martin, Harder brings together some fantastic talent, under the direction of Kerry Michael and Dawn Reid, to deliver some seriously energetic and rousing gospel and reggae numbers including ' 'You Can Get It f You Really Want It' and 'Higher and Higher'.
Ivan, played by Rolan Bell, leaves his rural life to come to the city, to try to realise his music ambitions. When he encounters difficulties finding work he turns to drug running for quick cash, so he can afford to record the song he's written. Following that he holds up a radio station at gun-point to get the record played, then kills two cops while escaping. Against this background he becomes a folk hero while hiding from the authorities. At a time when gun crime is becoming a serious and deadly issue in the inner cities I wondered why this character should receive adulation, when all his motives seem to be self-gain, and at any price. Nevertheless, Rolan Bell’s performance is truly marvellous and his rendition of the title song leaves a lasting impression.
As Ivan’s partner Elsa, Joanna Francis adds some needed and thoroughly believable passion in a show which hits the highs during musical numbers coupled with some genuinely fun seventies choreography and a cast that remain voyeuristically on stage throughout.
Drawing the conclusion out just a bit too much, it takes four songs and twenty five minutes for Ivan to eventually die. Any lingering emotion from the conclusion, with all its mixed messages, is soon dissolved in a 70’s reggae megamix that gets the audience jumping along to 'The Rivers of Babylon'.
Preacher: Mensah Bediako.
Ivan: Rolan Bell.
DJ: Ricardo Coke-Thomas.
Miss Brown: Jacqui Dubois.
Longa: Derek Elroy.
Pedro: Victor Romero Evans.
Elsa: Joanna Francis.
Photographer: Matthew J Henry.
Precious: Neisha-yen Jones.
Pinky: Susan Lawson-Reynolds.
Miss Daisy: Joy Mack.
Sergeant: Christopher Murrell.
Hilton: Marcus Powell.
Singer: Colin Roy.
Jose: Joe Speare.
Ray Pierre: Chris Tummings.
Band:
Drummer: Perry Melius.
Bass Guitar: Wayne Nunes.
Keyboard Player: Darren Benjamin.
Keyboard Player/Percussion: Gregg Assing.
Guitar/Percussion: Alan Weekes & Peter-Lee.
Directosr: Kerry Michael,Dawn Reid.
Designer: Ultz.
Lighting: Jo Joelson.
Sound: Stefan Lumsden.
Musical Directors: Perry Melius,Wayne Nunes.
Musical Supervisor: Geraldine Connor.
Choreographer: Jackie Guy.
2008-03-20 01:17:28