The Harder They Come

Synopsis

Programme

A bright and lively reggae musical extravaganza loosely based on the life of Jamaican petty gangster and unlikely folk-hero, Ivanhoe Martin. Martin is a poor man from the sticks who gets involved in the marijuana trade to fund his recording ambitions. His criminal activities, however, lead to violent confrontations with the police which bring an early and bloody end to both life and musical career.

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Ivanhoe Martin is a poor young man from the Jamaican countryside who falls foul of his employer, the local preacher, when he falls for the preacher's adopted daughter, Elsa. When the preacher turns Elsa outy of his home, Ivan runs away with her to the capital, Kingston, in search of work. Ivan has dreams of becoming a reggae star but soon finds that the only way to get his music recorded is to sign away his rights to it to the recording studio in return for a tiny percentage of any revenue. Desperate to make money, he is thrown a lifeline by Pedro, a friend he made on his arrival in Kingston, who offers him an opportunity to make money dealing in marijuana. Cheated by his drug lord employer, Ivan decides to go into business on his own and buys a pair of handguns for protection, but is beaten up by corrupt police in the pay of his former employer. Undeterred, Ivan now has the money to pay for his own recording and releases a single which becomed a hit and earns him cult status with the Jamaican people. But the police try to suppress his music because of his criminal connections, resulting in a riot during which Pedro's wife is shot by the police and killed. Ivan, who is present at the scene, returns fire, killing two policemen. Now wanted for murder, he goes on the run and is hidden from the police by the Jamaican people - to whom he represents a Robin Hood like figure. Elsa, meanwhile, takes charge of Pedro's baby daughter. Pedro persuades Ivan to flee to Cuba, where he can be sure of a popular reception, but before he can execute his escape plan Elsa, who has gone to the preacher for help raising the child, is instead coerced into revealing where Ivan is hiding. Preacher informs the police whgo surround the location and Ivan is gunned down in another shoot-out with the authorities, bringing an end to a short and violent existence.

The Music: (not in order of appearance)

"Higher and Higher", "Day O", "The Harder They Come", "Sittin in Limbo", "Many Rivers to Cross", "Johnny Too Bad", "Rivers of Babylon", "Shanty Town", "Sweet and Dandy", "Pressure Drop", "You Can Get It If You Really Want", "Wonderful World, Beautiful People", "The Ganja Song", "Woman and Money"

Impressions/Performances

Although Vincent (Ivanhoe) Martin was a true life character from 1940's Jamaica, this all-black reggae musical account of his life story is highly fictionalised although it roughly follows his true life path. Known popularly to friends and foes alike as "Rhyging" (Jamaican patois for wild or bad) the real Martin was a vicious outlaw and recidivist petty gangster who terrorised the Jamaican authorities in the 1940's. Although diminutive in stature, he was possessed of a king-sized propensity for violence and an itchy trigger finger for the revolver that he carried with him at all times. Despite seemingly having few redeeming features however, his reckless disregard for the law made him a cult figure among poverty stricken Jamaicans who saw him as a symbol of resistance against the largely corrupt authorities of the time.

For this version of his story, whilst the criminality and propensity for violence are still there they are much subdued to make the character far more sympathetic than the true life version. He is also given reggae ambitions, thereby creating a kind of fusion between Ivan's life story with that of Jimmy Cliff (the first musician to be awarded the Jamaican Government's Order of Merit) who wrote several of the musical numbers included in the production. And it is the music indeed that really holds this production together, not so much assisting in telling the story as establishing the mood at various points in Ivan's life, carrying the plot along through several dramatic twists and turns as it pulsates with life and vitality in a superb coalition of story and performance.

The cast are exceptional, including some of the best voices you are ever likely to hear on any stage. Matthew J. Henry sings his numbers well as well as giving a captivating central performance as Ivan. Starting out as a simple country boy, his character slowly chages as the gangster persona takes over but in spite of this gradual darkening of character he never really loses our sympathy. Marlon King as the dreadlocked Pedro, however, displays the best of the male voices with incredible range and power - from deep low notes that shake the very foundations of the building to soft high notes that float with crystal clarity. Alanna Leslie, meanwhile was a real revelation as Ivan's vulnerable girlfriend, Elsa, with a rich and resonant voice that seemingly belied her small frame and youthful appearance. The rest of the cast have almost equally as good voices, not one is misplaced, and without exception they enter into the proceedings with great vigour and obvious enjoyment so that you cannot help but be drawn completely into the music - that irrestible reggae mix of melancholic phrase set to an uplifting beat and rhythm. Most of the songs are instantly recogniseable classics with raucous numbers like "You Can Get It If You Really Want" certain to have you foot tapping along.

Despite the overall darkness of the story, it is all very lively and upbeat and, if you can keep up with the Jamaican patois, also very funny in parts. The set is simplicity itself and the action and lively choreography all takes place on a largely unadorned stage around the five musicians from the Hilton All-Stars who provide all of the music and lead us through the wonderful songs. Reggae is about finding joy in unusual places and it certainly does so here leading to a grand finale that sees the audience treat the performers to not just a standing but a dancing ovation. Only those with hearts of stone could not have been on their feet clapping and dancing along to the encore medley.

Verdict

Slick, lively and tremendously entertaining - reggae at it's best.

Don Gillan - www.stagebeauty.net