Matthew Xia

Review: THE HARDER THEY COME, Stratford East
by Clementine Scott - May 22, 2026

In another world, Jimmy Cliff’s ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ would have made a barnstorming musical theatre ‘I Want’ song. This musical adaptation of the late reggae pioneer's 1972 film – which premiered here in Stratford in 2005, and was reworked in New York in 2023 – makes that world a reality.

THE HARDER THEY COME Reveals Full Cast at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026

Stratford East announced full casting for THE HARDER THEY COME, the reggae musical adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks, returning for a new run with Natey Jones reprising his role as Ivan.

Lead Cast Revealed For THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2026

Natey Jones and Madeline Charlemagne are set to reprise their roles in the reggae musical THE HARDER THEY COME, returning to Stratford East from 16 May to 4 July 2026, with Chanice Alexander-Burnett joining as Elsa from 8 June.

Lead Cast Announced for THE HARDER THEY COME Returning to Stratford East
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2026

Lead casting has been announced for the return of THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East, running May 16 through July 4, 2026. Directed by Matthew Xia, the production features a stage adaptation by Suzan-Lori Parks, based on the 1970s Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone.

FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN to Have US Premiere at Studio Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2026

The cast has been revealed for the upcoming US premiere of Marcelo Dos Santos' one-person show Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen, which runs at Studio Theatre, Washington DC this summer.

Vicky Featherstone, Anoushka Warden, Kiko Itasaka, and Alexandra Casson Appointed Trustees Of Cardboard Citizens
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2026

Cardboard Citizens has announced the appointment of four new Trustees: Alexandra Casson, Vicky Featherstone, Kiko Itasaka and Anoushka Warden. Learn more here!

THE HARDER THEY COME To Return To Stratford East In 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 2, 2026

THE HARDER THEY COME will return to Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2026 following its 2025 run. The reggae musical is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Matthew Xia, with performances scheduled from May 16 through July 4.

THE HARDER THEY COME to Return to Stratford East This February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 2, 2026

​Stratford East will present the reggae musical The Harder They Come. The production is based on the cult Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone.

Cast and Creative Team Set For Matthew Xia’s SMALL ISLAND at Leeds Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026

The cast and creative team have been announced who will be joining director Matthew Xia on an unforgettable journey from the sun-drenched shores of Jamaica to the cold, grey streets of 1940s London in Small Island.

Interview: 'Come. Be A Part of The Conversation': Artistic Director Lisa Spirling And Executive Director Hanna Streeter on Their Big Plans For Stratford East
by Kat Mokrynski - Dec 3, 2025

Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Executive Director Hanna Streeter have announced their first season at Stratford East, with exciting plans for the venue as a whole. The new season includes Here There Are Blueberries by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, BLOODSPORT: After Helen of Troy by Ava Pickett and Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney. We had the opportunity to talk with both Spirling and Streeter about their first season at the theatre. We discussed what made each of them want to join Stratford East, some of their favourite shows they’ve seen at the venue and all about about the upcoming season!

Stratford East Extends THE HARDER THEY COME By One Week
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2025

Stratford East has announced an extension for the critically acclaimed new production of THE HARDER THEY COME, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name.

Review: THE HARDER THEY COME, Theatre Royal Stratford East
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 23, 2025

One minute you’re in an East London street, the next you are immediately transported to early-1970s Kingston: the style, the sounds, the rhythms, the smell of ambition and frustration. The Harder They Come at Stratford East is a vivid, energetic production that honours the cult classic film while breathing new life into it.

Actors Touring Company Appoints Five New Trustees
by Stephi Wild - Aug 5, 2025

Actors Touring Company (ATC) has announced the appointment of five new trustees, Laila Alj, Eleni Gill, Sarita Godber, Feeroza Patel and Teunkie Van Der Sluijs.

Cast and Creative Team Set For THE HARDER THEY COME at Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Jul 15, 2025

Stratford East has announced the full cast and creative team for the UK premiere of THE HARDER THEY COME, the newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name.

Nottingham Playhouse Appoints Benjamin Wilson as New Associate Artist
by Emmy Rice - Jul 6, 2025

Ben is a blind actor, theatre maker and audio description consultant based in Nottingham. Ben was previously the Ramps on the Moon Agent for Change at Sheffield Theatres and Trainee Artistic Director at Extant Theatre.

Cast Set For THE LAST STAND OF MARY WHITEHOUSE at Nottingham Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jun 18, 2025

Nottingham Playhouse has announced that Tony and Olivier-nominated Samuel Barnett completes the casting for the world premiere of Caroline Bird's The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, alongside the previously announced Maxine Peake.

FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN Will Make its DC Debut
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025

Award-winning one-person comedy Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen will be taking the final slot in Studio Theatre's 2025-2026 season lineup, produced by Francesca Moody Productions.

Cast Set For Mojisola Adebayo's STARS at Brixton House
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2025

Mojisola Adebayo's STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey will return to London following outstanding 5-star responses to its premiere at the ICA in 2023, for which it won the Off West End Theatre (Offie) Award.

Review: TAMBO & BONES, Stratford East
by Kat Mokrynski - May 1, 2025

Tambo and Bones are trapped in a minstrel show. Tambo and Bones have taken the world by storm with their rap music. Tambo and Bones are the leaders of the revolution. Are Tambo and Bones real? Or are they simply characters in a play? Written by Dave Harris and directed by Matthew Xia, Tambo & Bones asks an impossible question to its audience - how do you know what’s real?

Anna Williams Succeeds Prue Skene CBE as Chair of Cardboard Citizens
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2025

Cardboard Citizens is delighted has announced the appointment of Anna Williams as Chair of its Board of Trustees, succeeding Prue Skene CBE who has Chaired the award-winning arts and social justice charity since 2016.