REVIEW: Fiddler on the Roof
Forty one years ago an extraordinary musical opened in London starring the Jewish actor Topol. Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem it told the moving story of the inhabitants of Anatevka, a small Russian village, who were persecuted by the Russians in 1905 and had to leave their homes at three days notice.
The book is by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Stein took the theme of Tervye's storytelling and created the musical play around him.
In this new production directed by Julian Woolford Joe McGann takes on this central role. Although his voice lacks power in some of the numbers, he portrays all the thoughts and emotions first seen in the original UK production. The show does not seem dated in any way as it is still as relevant today as it was back in the sixties.
Carrie Ellis has a lovely singing voice and is well cast as Tervye's wife Golde as are the girls playing his five daughters. All the characters fit their roles like a glove and David Howe's lighting really makes the production. Much of the dancing takes place in silhouette which is very effective. Chris Hocking's choreography is first class and special mention must go to the male dancers who perform the bottle dance at his eldest daughter's wedding.
The score is memorable and the story filled with great pathos as this once happy family get split up by circumstances beyond their control. Everyone in the audience felt a shiver go down their spine in the moving final scene when the snow falls on Tervye and Golde dragging their cart away from the home they will never see again.
This is a must for all theatre lovers and Eastbourne is lucky to be included in the tour.
Amanda Wilkins
Fiddler on the Roof, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. Until Saturday August 16th. Box Office tel 01323 412000
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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