By: Winston Barnes
DAVIE – This past Friday evening, Jamaican cultural history was made on the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. That is not to over-state this fact with the showing of the theatrical version of the 1972 Jamaican made movie “The Harder They Come”.
What this presentation confirms is the increasing understanding of cultural expressions that are not euro-centric but are of the world real people live in. There has never been any low culture or high culture, despite what many would like to foist upon the un-suspecting.
The music version of a movie that helped bring the vibrant sound of reggae to much of the world for the first time is also a showpiece for the versatility of Jamaicans living in the Diaspora. Much of the theatrical production is the work of Jamaicans living in Britain.
There are however a number of inaccuracies in the stage presentation as in the prominence given to the song “Higher and Higher” which to the best of my knowledge was not a part of the motion picture, the fine performances of cast members, especially the young man who played the Ivan character, can however, simply not be denied.
The dances seem to span the spectrum of Jamaican dance moves from the very early 1960s to the present. The music by the way is the star of the show!
Bottom line is that the stage presentation of “The Harder They Come” confirms the validity of Jamaican culture and the fearlessness with which that culture is now shared with the world. In addition to Marley, and now Bolt, Jamaicans have another reason to be proud, yes the harder they come, the harder they fall.
Winston Barnes
Host – “Open Mic” WAVS 1170AM
Voice your opinion on “Open Mic” with Winston Barnes daily on WAVS 1170AM or listen on-line www.wavs1170am.com
