CHANICE ALEXANDER-BURNETT | THE HARDER THEY COME
Ensemble / Cover Elsa (16 May – 7 June) | Elsa (8 June – 4 July)
Training: London School of Musical Theatre (LSMT).
Theatre credits include: Tammy & Paulette in I’m Every Woman (Hackney Empire, UK Tour); Ensemble/Cover Elsa The Harder They Come (Stratford East); The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory); Fantine in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre); Ensemble and Cover Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); Ensemble and Nabalungi in The Book Of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre); and Swing in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre).
Other credits include: Countess in The Necklace (The Belfast Ensemble); Angie in Our House (Union Theatre – London); Alline in the original workshop of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; and original workshop of I’m Every Woman.
Based on the cult classic film that brought reggae to the world, THE HARDER THEY COME tells the story of Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, determined to live out his dreams on his own terms and make it as a music superstar.
After cutting a record deal with a manipulative music mogul, Ivan learns that the game is rigged and becomes increasingly defiant. As his star rises, he finds himself topping the charts and the most-wanted list of criminals.
This unmissable show transports audiences to 1970s Jamaica and asks us the question: “What is the personal cost of fighting against systemic injustice?”
This staging of the seminal film features a sensational soundtrack with brand new songs plus many of Jimmy Cliff’s hits, including “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross”.
The UK premiere, adapted for the stage by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess) and directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia (Tambo & Bones, Skeleton Crew) sold out last year.
NEED TO KNOW:
- The Harder They Come plays at Stratford East until 4 July 2026
- Read Afridiziak’s 5 star review of The Harder They Come 202
- Critically acclaimed reggae musical THE HARDER THEY COME will return to Stratford East
- The Harder They Come announces lead casting
- The Harder They Come – review – 2025
