The Harder They Come gets one-week extension at Stratford East: reggae, rebellion and revolutionary theatre

Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

Promotional artwork for The Harder They Come at Stratford East, featuring lead actor Danny Bailey as Ivan with ensemble cast in 1970s Jamaican styling.

Stratford East has announced a one-week extension to its critically acclaimed production of The Harder They Come, now running until Saturday 1 November 2025, following overwhelming audience demand.

Adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Matthew Xia, the show reimagines Perry Henzell’s iconic 1972 film for the stage with extraordinary style and swagger — and a soundtrack that practically raises the roof.

The show has already earned five stars from The Guardian, which praised it as:

“The story is propelled from sun-kissed comedy to elegiac tragedy.”

Set in 1970s Jamaica, The Harder They Come follows Ivan, a young dreamer with ambitions of becoming a music star in Kingston. What begins as a story of hope and hustle quickly turns into a fight against exploitation, corruption and systemic injustice — as Ivan becomes both a chart-topper and a fugitive folk hero.

Photos of the cast by Danny Kaan

Suzan-Lori Parks — the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning writer of Topdog/Underdog — breathes new life into the script with additional songs and sharp-edged storytelling. The result is a production that’s both reverent and radical, transporting audiences from dancehalls to recording studios to the edge of revolution.

The production features Jimmy Cliff’s legendary soundtrack, including “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder They Come”, alongside new music by Parks.

A commanding lead performance from Danny Bailey as Ivan anchors a standout cast, including Josie Benson, Jason Pennycooke, and Simon-Anthony Rhoden. The ensemble moves as one — dancing, drumming, and doubling as chorus — in a show that fuses high-energy musical theatre with moments of real emotional power.

Stratford East: A theatre that makes noise

Founded in 1884, Theatre Royal Stratford East has long been a home for radical, community-rooted performance. From the pioneering work of Joan Littlewood to today’s boundary-pushing productions, the theatre is known for championing new voices and reflecting the realities of its East London audience.

This latest production feels perfectly at home on its stage: political, passionate, and propelled by a phenomenal live band.

For anyone who missed the initial run — or simply wants to go again — the extended dates offer a final chance to catch a production that’s as joyful as it is uncompromising.