What a marvellous classic musical!! It’s one I’ve always known about but I never watched the film or got to see it at the theatre – I am so delighted that I now have – I totally loved it!
The story is engaging. Teyve, is a poor Jewish milkman living in the village of Anatevka, Russia, with his wife and five daughters in 1905. It’s a close community and the story centres on his attempts to maintain his family’s religious and cultural traditions in the face of a rapidly changing world. Tevye must contend with his three eldest daughters who challenge tradition by choosing their own husbands out of love rather than accepting matches arranged by the village matchmaker. Their struggles are set against a backdrop of increasing political unrest which ultimately forces Tevye and his community to leave their home.
This production is raw, powerful and relates to all generations. It both honours the classic rendition and offers a fresh perspective. It is heartfelt and captures the emotional weight of Tevye’s story and we as the audience were totally captivated and fully invested.
The incredibly talented cast are just amazing, their voices, their energy and their tangible passion is so absorbing. Matthew Woodyatt, who plays Tevye brings a vibrant lived in quality to the role which is endearing and commanding. His monologues are delivered with frustration and devotion painting a picture of a man grappling with a rapidly changing world. He is personable and relatable. The ongoing conversations with God are realistic, funny and touching as he tries to make sense of he world.
Jodie Jacobs as Golde was fantastic, portraying her not just as a stern wife but as the pragmatic and intelligent anchor of the family. The quiet tenderness of their duet in ‘Do You Love Me’ was a highlight showing the deep unspoken love after years of tradition and hardship.
The whole cast come together to create this close-knit community who love and both annoy each other. It is a large cast and yet the choreography was impactful as they flowed across the stage during the big scenes, sat on the edges or sung and danced together to make a big noise and presence in the big numbers such as ‘Tradition’, where their voices coming together was magical. There were just so many good scenes, the ghost scene was funny and well-coordinated and the iconic bottle dance was excellent.
The staging and design was amazing, the set was minimalist, dominated by a suspended straw roof that felt like a symbol of their close-knit community and a fragile reminder of its impending collapse. This stripped back approach created the space for the cast to fill but also the story, and performances to take centre stage.
The music was integral to the narrative and with the orchestra sitting on the back of the stage made it more intimate. The fiddler spent a lot of time on stage, mirroring Tevye’s emotions as he was playing with him during the solo scenes, it was clever and moving, sometimes they were dancing together and it was beautiful.
Everything about this show was amazing and I need to persuade you to go and see it while it is on its UK Tour.
Check out Tour dates here.
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner
With thanks to Norwich Theatre Royal
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