Fiddler on the Roof
July 15, 2008
Venue : Sunderland Empire
Date : July 14th 2008
Fiddler on the Roof won 9 Tony awards when it opened in 1964 and although the original star was Zero Mostel, it will be always associated with Topol. Like Rex Harrison will always be the definitive Professor Higgins, Topol will always be Tevye, a role he has played on the very stage where Joe McGann is now given his interpretation. McGann, best known for his role as Charlie Burrows in The Upper Hand, takes time to settle in to the role of Tevye, the man who dreams of riches, respect and a quiet family life.
Unfortunately the main song of the show “If I Were a Rich Man” comes very early in Act 1 before he has shaken the ghost of Topol off to prove he was a worthy successor in a charming understated performance.
The musical is set in year is 1905 where Jewish community in the village of Anatevka, Tsarist Russia are trying to eke out a living. The story revolves around Tevye a milkman who has a personal relationship with God, as he strives to keep up the traditions of his faith, race and culture.
Tevye is father to five daughters and trying to find husbands for eldest three. He turns to Yente, the matchmaker, who does her best, but with no money and dowry to offer she is struggling.
Having promised Tzeitel to the butcher Lazar Wolf, Tevye finds his daughter has her heart set on the young tailor, Motel. Having young people find love on their own terms is a new thing in the community which Golde (Tevye’s wife) cannot accept. So Tevye resorts to conjuring up a dream in which he attempts to persuade Golde that Lazar is not a good match and that her dead Grandmother would much prefer her granddaughter to marry the tailor. This persuades Golde, but is only the start of the break down in the their traditional values.
As we follow his other daughters marriages, first of all Hodel to Perchik, a student, who does not want her father’s permission just his blessing, again identifying traditions are changing. But when Perchik is arrested and sent to Siberia, Hodel follows him but assures her father they will be married, under a canopy, in the traditional Jewish way.
Chava, Tevye’s third eldest daughter wants to marry Fyedka, a Russian soldier. But being Russian and not a Jew and this is one step too far for Tevye and she ceases to be recognised as his daughter and is sen as being dead from that moment on.
While the lives are played out as the main theme of the story we cannot fail to recognise Anatevka itself is under threat as the Jews are being forced to leave their homes. Many of them decide to go to live in America, like Tevye and Golde. Accompanying them will be their two youngest children along with Motel and Tzeitel, who now their own family. But Chava and Fyedka are wanted by neither the Jews nor Russians and set off for Poland.
The score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick is littered with classic musical numbers including Tradition, Matchmaker Matchmaker, Sunrise Sunset, To Life! as well as the aforementioned If I Were a Rich Man.
But this tale of life in Russia is not meant to be a feel good show. It is hard hitting and at times depressing tale of how life used to be just over a hundred years ago.
This production, with sets by designer Charles Camm and excellent sound by Ross Portway and John Higson, is moving and has a first rate cast, who make the most of every song and dance routine. Although sadly the revolving stage that is associated with he show has been removed in this version But while it is great to see another classic show being kept alive, director Julian Woolford fails to have any fresh ideas to stop the production from feeling dated and over long at almost three hours.
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