The Harder They Come - The Barbican

Spent a very enjoyable evening at The Barbican to see the stage version of 'The Harder They Come'. Strangely, I've never seen the film (not sure how that happened) but I suspect it was faithful to the film. From the opening words of Victor Romero Evans to the finale sing-a-long it was a joy to behold and, considering the subject matter, very uplifting with fab songs (obviously) and some really good acting and singing.

The stage is very wide at The Barbican and it was almost empty of props and scenery, with the band dotted around and the whole cast being on stage for virtually the whole time, just moving to the back when they're not part of the action. They're all mic'd up so it was a bit odd for the first five minutes or so seeing someone speak or sing centre-stage and the sound coming from the amps at the edge of the stage, but I soon got used to that. The cast were in early '70s splendour, especially the magnificent Pinky in knee-high shiny white boots, tiny red mini-dress and enormous afro, and she could shake it some as well - right on sista! The Jamaican accents lost me a few times but it wasn't a problem really since it was always obvious where the play was going.

The play tells the story of Ivan going to the bright lights of Kingston from his country home to become a reggae star and the inevitable adventures he has in finding his city feet, the closed shop of the music biz, corruption of the local cops, getting involved in the ganga trade to earn money to make a record on his terms and, of course, the love of a good woman. The morality of the play is sometimes a bit suspect but I can forgive all that for the sight of Victor - in his role as Pedro, the rastaman - lighting a huge spliff on stage and skanking away to his hearts content. Strangely, it's Pedro, the ganga-merchant who emerges at the end with his integrity intact.

The music was excellent, the band and singers were excellent and the songs, of course, were excellent. The Jimmy Cliff songs were the main highlight for me - 'The Harder They Come', 'Sitting In Limbo', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' - but there was a fun version of 'Pressure Drop' by the police chief who kept breaking up to ask the audience why we're hiding Ivan fom him and calling us 'hugly' (cheek!). All the songs were great really.

I'd single out Rolan Bell as a very charming Ivan, Susan Lawson-Reynolds as Pinky and Victor Romero Evans as Pedro for special praise. I thought Rolan was very good in the lead role and had a nice voice, a big challenge to play the Jimmy Cliff role, and Susan played Pinky to a tee as the good time girl up for a good time. Victor was just all round excellent as the rastaman (I've shaken his hand, y'know). I was pleased to join in the standing ovation at the end and then joining the singing and skanking to the cast finale singing some of the hits from the show.

It's only on for another couple of weeks so if you hurry you might be able to get tickets - if you possibly can, go and see it!