Fiddler on the Roof

As one sat down in the theatre the atmosphere for this much loved musical was created with a back cloth of black houses and trees silhouetted on a red background giving a subtle hint of the sadness and poignancy of that was to come. The props of a roof and shelving/fencing was very cleverly done, simple, but very effective. Also the lighting was subdued that helped emphasise the tenuous existence of the Jewish village of Anatevka.

Mike Hamilton’s portrayal of Tevye was spot on, his timing and singing were superb. His wife Golde   (Rachel Barker) had good facial expression that never let up for a second. She brought the character to life. I particularly liked the duet “Do you love me”.
Tzeitel and Motel made a great and convincing couple (Sophie Greig and Nicholas Parish), and Tzeitel and her two sisters Hodel and Chava  gave a splendid performance of 'Matchmaker'.
Yente (Mary Lewis) was a very convincing matchmaker and village gossip. Her delivery was very good indeed.
Perchik (Daniel Morris) came over well, as the young revolutionary, challenging the old ways, and his rendition of 'Now I have everything' along with Hodel (Molly Emmerson) was touching.
Lazar Wolf played by Steve Vernon was a gem of a part for him, great performance as the spurned Tony Reader as the Rabbi really looked and acted the part to perfection along with Mendel (Adrian Fox) as the Rabbi’s Son.
The Dream sequence can so easily be done over the top but Ali Ransom as Grandma Tzeitel, together with Fruma-Sarah (Judyth Aarons) got it just right, the scene was done so well, the choreography good and the chorus singing was a treat to listen to.
'Sunrise Sunset' a great favourite could have been done with just a bit more sensitivity, a little more light and shade in its rendition but none the less enjoyable. One of the show stoppers was Hodel’s song 'Far From the home I Love' beautifully sung and with great sensitivity.
The Choreography was good especially the wedding dance and bottle sequence, it seemed to me the men’s legs were everywhere giving a great effect, whilst balancing the bottles on their heads.
Fyedka and the Constable were well played, except the scene when the Russians disrupted the wedding was a bit tame and would have been unlikely to have upset anyone very much. Although the Constable was a friend of Tevye, this scene needed to be a lot more aggressive.
The two younger sisters Shprintze and Bielke were charmingly played and the chorus members very good. The casting was spot on, everybody played their part in this splendid production.
My sincere congratulations to the Director David Finlay , Simon Carter Musical Director, Samantha Morris Choreographer and Adam Johns Assistant to the Director ……………..a great evening of good entertainment, enjoyed by the audience, who went out into the night humming the songs.
 

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