“Theatre will always be that girl”: Madeline Charlemagne on The Harder They Come at Theatre Royal Stratford East

Madeline Charlemagne is an actress and singer based in London who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her theatre credits include Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre, Hex at the National Theatre, The Secret Life of Bees at the Almeida, Kick at Lyric Hammersmith, Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and 42 Balloons at the Vaudeville.

She is currently starring as Elsa in the critically acclaimed reggae musical The Harder They Come at Theatre Royal Stratford East, adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Matthew Xia. The production, which runs until 4^th July 2026, is an adaptation of Perry Henzell and Trevor Rhone’s Jamaican crime classic, and features a soundtrack of Jimmy Cliff hits as well as brand new songs.

We caught up with Madeline before press night to chat about the show, her role as Elsa, what it was like to work with Suzan-Lori Parks in the rehearsal room, and what she hopes audiences take away from the show.

What was your first encounter with The Harder They Come – the film, the music, Ivan’s story? Was any of it already part of your world growing up?

This production! I didn’t know the film before, but I’m deeply connected to the music: reggae, ska, rocksteady – these are staples in West Indian / Caribbean households! The film felt familial and familiar because this is the music I grew up on.

When you first read Suzan-Lori Parks’s script, was there anything specific that drew you to Elsa? A particular moment on the page where you thought, “Yes, this is someone I want to play”?

It was actually getting to work with SLP in the rehearsal room that unlocked Elsa for me. She was so generous with her insight and is a wonderful collaborator – she even rewrote Elsa’s final pivotal moment after our work together! Suzan-Lori helped me bring out all of Elsa’s colours and map her huge journey in our action movie-style plot!

You played Eurydice in Hadestown, and now Elsa. What have all these experiences taught you about yourself as a performer? Is there a through-line in your roles that pulls you in?

I could write a book on everything I’ve learnt these past two years of my career. But these roles specifically have taught me how to be an actor in a leading part. It is a huge responsibility, on and off stage! Outside of the core qualities I think all company members should have regardless of job title (generosity, playfulness, respect, curiosity, openness, dedication, the list goes on), as a lead performer, you have to truthfully play the main plotline to a high standard for eight shows a week and help to support the needs of your cast outside of just the acting bit. I’m lucky to be guided by the excellent colleagues I’ve gotten to work with: you can’t drop the ball when you’re playing opposite Natey Jones! I recently got back from Canada playing Roxanne in a Cyrano De Bergerac adaptation with Eryn-Jean Norvill as Cyrano – that was a masterclass in leadership to me, big up EJ!

The sonic world in The Harder They Come is so specific, with reggae, ska, Jimmy Cliff classics, and Parks’ new songs all sitting alongside each other. Having worked across many different spaces and styles, does the music change how you inhabit a new character?

Absolutely! A character’s sound is as unique as the costume they wear. In the same way that costume reflects the time and setting of a show, different music genres come with a set of characteristics built in. From this, us actors get to choose different vocal stylings within the genre that fit our character and tell their story; for example, Elsa has a bit of lover’s rock “head voice” when she’s falling in love!

You’re back as Elsa after a sold-out run. Did it still feel like a homecoming of sorts, or have you arrived at her differently this time?

Both! I’ve never done a show more than once before. Being back with these people, on this show? Absolutely feels like I have come back home! A soft place to land – and laugh! But also, in between both runs, I’ve done a short film, my first radio play and have been to Canada and back for work. I’ve grown, our glorious team is joyfully slightly different, and we’ve had six months in between: “a man can never step in the same river twice” and all that!

You’re also sharing the role with Chanice Alexander-Burnett this run. What’s it like passing the torch on this character?

It’s amazing! We are all links in a chain of people who have gotten to inhabit a role for a time. I love being linked to so many incredible women! Especially Chanice, I can’t wait to see her smash it!

Suzan-Lori Parks wrote the book and the new songs. What do they unlock about Elsa, and what was it like the first time you performed the material?

Elsa goes on a massive journey in our show. SLP has expanded the role from its original source material. SLP’s book unlocks the truth and complexity of a young woman’s growth through first love and experiencing the cruelty of the real world outside of her childhood bubble. That is rough stuff, let me tell you!

It is also full of sweetness: young love, stepping into her sexuality, feeling like the world is her and Ivan’s oyster, the whole gamut! The piece shows her innocence, conviction and strength. It’s an honour to play her. In terms of the first time performing the material, again, I have to shout out Suzan-Lori. My first time working on Hymn, she was like, “More! Try this!” She got me belting notes in the middle of the song! It’s lovely to have someone have faith that you can do hard things even if you don’t at the time.

The show is rooted in 1970s Jamaica, but that question, “What is the personal cost of fighting against systemic injustice?” feels very relevant right now. Do you think theatre has the power to ask that kind of question in a way other art forms can’t?

Theatre will always be that girl because she’s live. In every theatre piece, the audience is the final member of the cast. We are in communion for those 2/3 hours, no distractions. Another blessing of our show is the investment of our audience; you’ve never experienced anything like it! The listening? They are completely with us, it feels like they are on stage! I know they are going through every emotion with us, with the lens of their own experience. Laughing with us, crying with us, in real time, close enough to see the sweat and tears. If theatre can’t ask such important questions, then what can?

The Harder They Come has a long history at Stratford East. Do you feel that history when you’re on that stage?

It’s ingrained in the building! Literal pictures on the walls. And the people. I’m honoured to be a part of it!

If someone walks in knowing nothing about the film or Ivan’s world, what do you most want them to leave feeling?

Of course, I hope that they love it! Feel both empty and full from coming on the journey with us. But most importantly, I would leave space for whatever our show brings up for them – joy, sadness, the lot!