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Fiddler on the Roof

Published Monday 31 July 2006 at 14:50 by Victor Hallett

The strength of Michael Bogdanov’s very enjoyable production lies in a palpable feeling of community. When the assembled villagers sing Anatevka, that resolutely non-idyllic patch of the Ukraine achieves a mythological dimension that will clearly remain with them throughout their global scatterings.

Before that they all really seem to know their place in the scheme of things, butcher, inn keeper, rabbi, matchmaker, tailor and of course, milkman. Tevye is a splendid creation and Peter Karrie catches his mood swings perfectly. Some of his mutterings and parts of his songs seem to get lost in the depths of his beard but whenever he’s dealing with his wife, a tremendously strong Andrea Miller, there’s the electricity of a true relationship. So too with his three eldest daughters, nicely played by Cathryn Davis, Llinos Daniel and Catherine Olding. There’s a fine performance from Owain Rhys Davies as Motel, the tailor, a lovely study in goodness, innocence and quiet determination.

The mixture of intimate relationships, tradition, history and village life all comes together in a stunning, nightmarish visualisation of The Dream. It’s like a Marc Chagall painting brought to life by Anthony Williams’ choreography and superb ensemble movement.

The music, both there and throughout, is played by an excellent on-stage band who give it a real klezmer oomph.

Here’s a musical full of fine singing and dancing, good tunes and wry humour in a production that makes you see and feel a people surviving through intolerance and loss; suddenly it all seems very timely again.

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