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January 17, 2008
"The Harder They Come" resurfaces in UK...The Film and Theatrical Production differ
By: Joseph Cunningham
The theatrical production of The Harder They Come will return to stages in the United Kingdom this year, with performances at the prestigious Barbican Centre and Birmingham Hippodrome from March to April.
The production at the Barbican Centre will run from March 6 to April 5, before moving to the Birmingham Hippodrome from April 11 to 13.
This follows "sell-out crowds" at the Theatre Royal Stratford East last year. The play is based on the iconic 1970s film starring international Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff; produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written by Trevor Rhone.
It tells the story of a young man, who heads to Kingston with dreams of becoming a reggae star, but the harsh reality of the Jamaican music scene drives him to a life as an outlaw.
The film's soundtrack, with songs like: "You Can Get It If You Really Want" and "By the Rivers of Babylon" will be performed with backing from a live reggae band.
To complement the stage production, Barbican Films will present a two-week Film Jamaica cinema season from March 12 to March 30. The season will celebrate the island's rich musical heritage.
Film producer Justine Henzell, will introduce the screening of the original version of "The Harder They Come" on Wednesday, March 12. Internationally renowned dub poet, Jamaican-born Linton Kwesi Johnson, will perform at the Barbican Hall on March 9, alongside Dennis Bovell's Dub Band, Winston Francis, Jean 'Binta' Breeze and Shirley Thompson. The Barbican Centre is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, featuring art, film, music, theatre, dance and education under one roof.