FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - REVIEW

As I walked into the tiny Menier Chocolate Factory theatre and took my seat, people were walking past me getting water from the well, chatting and going about their daily tasks.  It felt as though I was in an alternate universe sitting in Anatevka at the start of the twentieth century.

The story revolves around Tevye (Andy Nyman).  Married to Golde (Judy Kuhn), he is living with his 5 daughters and as a poor milkman, trying to survive and look after his family. As part of an Orthodox, religious community, their world revolves around their Jewish faith and this is instilled in every element of their lives, with the opening song 'Tradition' showing this beautifully.

The town's matchmaker has matched his oldest daughter Tzeitel to the local, but much older butcher.  Despite Tevye agreeing to the match, Tzeitel pleads with her father to be allowed to marry the tailor.  During the course of the story the audience sees Tzeitel and Tevye's other daughters Hodel and Chava each find their own love, but in doing so they make Tevye question how far he feels he can accept the changes his daughters demand, and if he can reconcile them with his faith.

At its heart, this story is about family.  The 'Sabbath Prayer' at the Friday night table and Teye and Golde sing the beautiful 'Sunrise Sunset' during Tzeitel's wedding bring a sense of community and belonging. With the setting of the show on the floor and not on a raised stage, the audience become part of the celebrations and traumas that are suffered.

 Andy Nyman and Judy Kuhn, bring warmth and honesty to their roles as Tevye and Golde.  They are supported by a strong cast with great musical numbers during the wedding and the 'dream sequence'.  The memorable songs finish with the beautiful 'Anatevka' reminding everyone what home really means.

Fiddler on the Roof will be transferring to The Playhouse Theatre in March.