Fiddler on the Roof

GREAT WITLEY OPERATIC SOCIETY – FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

“Fiddler” is one of the all time great musicals and certainly one of my favourites. This production brought out all the pathos and humour in the small village of the Jewish community of Anatevka. The central role of Tevye, the local milkman, superbly played and sung by Andrew Bartlett, trying to scrape a living in the township with his wife of twenty five years Golde (Bronwen Carless) who is more than a match for Tevye. Their poignant duet “Do you love me” was lovely and touching.Their five daughters were all very well played and determined to break with Tradition and marry their own choice of husband and not an arranged marriage by the local matchmaker Yente (a delightful cameo by Sylvia Craddock) . In the changing world keeping the faith and ancient Traditions was extremely difficult for Tevye as eldest daughter Tzeitel breaks with the old Traditions and marries Motel the village tailor. Second daughter Hodel falls in love with Perchik, a student visiting the village who is arrested in Kiev when he returns there to complete his studies.  Hodel leaves home to be with him and Chava falls in love with Fyedka a Russian soldier thus stretching Tevyes faith in the Traditions even further to the point where he tells Golde that Chava is dead to us as she is cast aside by Tevye and leaves home to be with Fyedka . The principals were all very well cast with an outstanding vocal from Cherril Watkins (Fruma-Sarah ) in the bedroom dream scene. The sadness is palpable at the Finale as the village inhabitants leave to find another place to live but still with humour from Tevye (Don’t forget the baby) as they leave to live in America. Orchestra, Stage crew, lighting and sound all contributed to the overall excellence of the performance.

25/03/15

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