Thursday 10 June 2010

The Harder They Come, The Review...

Chief Executive Martin Sutherland
Artistic Director Laurie Sansom

Patron The Rt Hon Earl Spencer

From the outset this reggae musical is lively. I found members of the cast in the audience directing patrons to their seat, i was one of them. Wow the show hasn't even started and things were happening, or had it already started?

I found the whole show very exiting from the very beginning to the end.There was so much happening on the stage,from the musicians to the actors. Enjoyed the songs, the dancing, the musicians, the acting was excellent.

The story of Ivanhoe Martin, dubbed

'Captain Midnight' and 'The Two Gun Killer'

'The Harder They Come' is inspired by the real life story of Ivanhoe Martin , a legendary Jamaican outlaw of the 1940's. Born Vincent Martin , he was a criminal from the age of 14, when he was convicted of wounding and sentenced to 12 lashes. Prison sentences followed, he was dubbed 'Captain Midnight' and 'The Two Gun Killer', A very snappy dresser and a cool talker, quite a charmer in fact.

Ivanhoe Martin comes to the city to make it big singing Reggae. However, he finds life in the city to be harder than he thought.

Songs well loved by all , and some written by reggae star
Jimmy Cliff ,

the whole auditorium were singing along too!

Patrons may have seen the movie, as many of my colleagues on Inspiration FM have many times. In the movie Ivan was played by reggae star Jimmy Cliff , that was 32 years ago now back in 1972, was it really that long ago!.

My point is, the plot of this musical is well known, and well loved by generations of people from all walks of life.

This musical had a 15 minute ganja break , or interval to the Innocent ones, and the radio DJ in this musical reminds me of someone, ha ha !

The songs include:

Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher and Higher,
Day O (Banana Boat Song)
The Harder They Come
Sittin' In Limbo
Many Rivers To Cross
Johnny Too Bad
Rivers Of Babylon
Shanty Town (007)
Sweet and Dandy
Pressure Drop
You Can Get It If You Really Want
Wonderful World, Beautiful People
The Ganja Song
Woman and Money

By the end of this fantastic musical the whole auditorium were up dancing and singing, it was one big celebration, and no one wanted it to end, the time just flew by !

The Harder They Come

Tue 08 Jun - Sat 12 Jun
Venue: Derngate

“THE BAND IS TIGHT, THE CLOTHES ARE RIGHT…IT’S A SURE-FIRE SMASH HIT”
TIME OUT

Following sell-out successes in the West End, Toronto and Miami, and based on the iconic seventies film that launched Jimmy Cliff onto the world stage, this exhilarating production tells the story of a country boy who makes for the bright lights of Kingston, Jamaica, with high hopes of becoming a reggae star.

When the harsh reality of the music scene drives him into a fast and furious life as an outlaw, he would rather die than give up his dream!

Featuring all of the songs that made the movie so unforgettable including Can Get It If You Really Want, Many Rivers To Cross, Higher and Higher, Rivers of Babylon and The Harder They Come – all performed live by the hottest reggae band this side of the Atlantic – this production will capture your heart and soul!

“THE COOLEST SHOW IN TOWN BY MILES”
SUNDAY TIMES

Tue - Fri 7.30pm Sat 8pm Wed & Sat Matinee 2.30pm

Tickets
£10 - £26.50

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AN EXHILARATING SHOW!"
Nottingham Post

THE HARDER THEY COME IS SIMPLY A GREAT EVENING'S ENTERTAINMENT"
British Theatre Guide

GET FREE RING TONES AND WALLPAPER AT
www.thehardertheycomelive.com

Genre:

Musicals