Reader Reviews
Fiddler on the Roof (Savoy Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Having seen this production 3 times I have to say that I think it's a brilliant production with nothing I can fault.However,I would say that having seen it 3 times,I would argue that Matt Zimmerman gave a much greater performance than Henry Goodman in the role of Tevye.I saw both of them play the role and actually returned to see it a third time specifically on a night when I knew Matt Zimmerman would be understudying again.I agree that Henry Goodman's performance was a great one but Matt Zimmerman's performance was better still in my opinion.Rather than giving a 'star turn',he was far more real and believable and in my opinion I'd say he is quite possibly the greatest Tevye of all.Unfortunately,it's a performance that not enough people will have seen to have made an indelible impression on theatre lore,but I hope it will become the stuff of legend because it certainly deserves to be. - Steviardo | 13 Feb 08 |
| I returned to this before it closes and I am now even more convinced that Henry Goodman's performance is one of the greats in musical theatre history. Don't miss it! - Gareth James | 31 Jan 08 |
| Entertaining, engaging, emotive - a terrific night out with Henry Goodman masterful as Tevye. Goodman dominates proceedings but there are strong performances from the three eldest daughters and Motel. Only 4 stars because (like the previous reviewer) there was a lady with a Henry Hoover on stage during the interval, plus some rather unconvincing beards. Oh..and if being picky, there was a strange selection of accents from Eastern European Jewish through to New York Jewish (Beverley Klein) through to RP. - Mark | 24 Oct 07 |
| Entertaining, engaging, emotive - a terrific night out with Henry Goodman masterful as Tevye. Goodman dominates proceedings but there are strong performances from the three eldest daughters and Motel. Only 4 stars because (like the previous reviewer) there was a lady with a Henry Hoover on stage during the interval, plus some rather unconvincing beards. Oh..and if being picky, there was a strange selection of accents from Eastern European Jewish through to New York Jewish (Beverley Klein) through to RP. - Mark | 24 Oct 07 |
| I saw this show at the London Palladium zonks ago with Topol in the lead and wondered why it was considered a classic. It took the enterprising Sheffield Theatres to prove why with this terrific revival, simply but effectively staged, beautifully sung and with a central performance from Henry Goodman which I doubt could be bettered. He is light on his feet and lightens the role, introducing a playfullness which sits perfectly with the seriousness of the backdrop. This modest low-cost revival far outshines most of the heartless multi-million pound 'spectacle' currently ocupying the West End stages - on the Wicked scale, where Wicked is 1, this is 10 ! - Gareth James | 26 Jul 07 |
| Jessica Hargreaves as Bielke depicted her charatcher perfectly - Charlotte | 12 Jul 07 |
| I've never seen an actor so lit up by the character he portrays as Henry Goodman. He's amazing! My wife and I walked out of the theatre wrapped up in Tevye's world and genuinely concerned that he would not get to see his daughter again. The charm, warmth and just plain skill of the main players did not go unnoticed and the standing ovation they received was fully justified. Go and see this show while it's still on, it's the most fun you can have in London! - Sempai Greg | 10 Jul 07 |
| Great show, a musical where the story is at least as important as the songs. Henry Goodman is fantastic as Tevye and the staging is simple but effective. - houndtang | 30 Jun 07 |
| For many people the perception of Fiddler is dominated by one song and one performer so it is rewarding to discover such a rich and vibrant revival by Lindsay Posner transferred from Sheffield. The story of Russian Jews is seen through the eyes of Tevye as he struggles to come to terms with the marriage choices made by his daughters as they break free of the old traditions but without breaking the close bonds of a loving family. This is set against the background of approaching Tsarist pogroms although I felt this was downplayed somewhat, unlike the way the current production of The Sound of Music deals with the rise of the Nazis. Although the ending is reasonably bleak there is still a feeling of inappropriate optimism as if everything will turn out fine when it almost certainly will not. The presentation of flowers at the curtain call to the understudy Tzeitel suggests a justifiably happy ensemble, but the show is dominated by the incredible Henry Goodman as Tevye. He perfectly captures the contrasting humour and rage which turns to bewildered frustration as his resolve melts when confronted by the pleading of his daughters. There is also immense tenderness when he sings to his fearsome wife Gilde "Do Tou Still Love Me?". Goodman's is a towering performance that this fine production deserves. - David Baxter | 09 Jun 07 |
| Truly a magnificent production a tremendous emotional journey i laughed and cried, Henry Goodman was amazing and the supporting cast didn't go unnoticed they were all fantastic the guy who played Perchik had the most incredible voice i have heard in recent years sure to have an amazing career in front of him - jonathan | 02 Jun 07 |
| what a joy. the actors even seem to being enjoing the show. talking to gareth kennerley after the show he told that they all do. henry is excelent mixing his comedy bits in reasonably well if sometimes alittle over the top. take all the family and enjoy. just ask yourselves why this has taken so long to go west end. - Clive J Sharp | 31 May 07 |
| Brilliant production, Henry Goodman is just fantastic. Great set and wonderful performances. At last a fantastic revival arrives in the West End after the awful Sound of Music and the very disappointing Evita. - Christian | 30 May 07 |
| I just had to write a review of this show. I had no expectations of the show at all. I have to say the poster didnt excite me particularily but I was in the area and just popped in. I spent 3 hours completely spellbound. And so it seemed did the majority of the audience, the reactions were overwhelming. The curtain call was like being at a rock concert. And the guy playing Tevye was well worth the reaction. He was phenomenal. I loved the bottle dance and the scene in the Inn. The music was great as well. I do find the stage at the Savoy sometimes makes things seem crowded, I felt this with Porgy and Bess also. I am going to go again definitely. The cover playing Golde was great but I would love to see Beverley Klein doing it. i wonder why she was off? I just read another review and the guy said he would have given it 5 stars but for the couple in front of him and the hoovering at the interval. I had a funny experience with the audience too, a rather rude couple talking all the way through it in front of me, but I will not stray from giving this 5 stars, even despite the hilarious hoover!. I laughed and cried, was completely engaged and incredibly moved. I think its great to see a musical with some substance as well. Its not just a great night out but also an incredibly detailed insight into how life must have been for a Jewish family of that time. A must for kids. The set is such that it builds out over the orchestra and being in the stalls I was worried I was going to miss stuff, however I didnt really notice missing anything in particular. I was happy to be up close for some of the more intimate scenes, Goodman being such a delicate actor at times, but being further away would have also had its benefits with regards to seeing the Jerome Robbins choreography a bit better. I agree with the other review that Fyedka was great, despite a slightly odd accent, but other notable performances were Perchick and Hodel, who I saw opposite each other in Woman in White, they are great, and all power to the guys who did the bottle dance! In fact I would go so far as to say the entire cast were womderful. - M Wildhorne | 27 May 07 |
| Brilliant, Henry Goodman was fantastic. Impossible to make the role entirely your own after Topol but he managed to give it his own style! Also really impressed with the actor playing Fiedke, his voice simply boomed around the theatre when he sung. It was a great night out, the bottle dance just like in the film and I would score 5 if it wasn't for the lady who appeared in the interval on stage with a Henry Hoover and the couple in front of me that whispered and kissed all the way through which slightly ruined the atmosphere! - H Choat | 26 May 07 |
