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Fiddler on the Roof Finishes London Run, 16 Feb

The critically acclaimed Sheffield Crucible revival of 1964 Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof, starring Whatsonstage.com Award nominee Henry Goodman as Russian milkman Tevye, has posted closing notices at the West End’s Savoy Theatre, where it will now finish on 16 February 2008.

First seen last Christmas in Sheffield, Lindsay Posner’s production opened at the Savoy on 29 May 2007 (previews from 19 May) and has twice extended its booking period. It previously announced a final extension to 26 April 2008 in November when the theatre’s next resident – the Take That-inspired musical Never Forget - announced its May transfer (See News, 2 Nov 2007).

Fiddler on the Roof will now finish after a nine-month run, having garnered four nominations in this year’s Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards including Best Actor in a Musical for Goodman, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Beverley Klein, who plays Tevye’s wife Golde, and Best Musical Revival (click here to vote!).

In Tsarist Russia in 1905, poor dairyman Tevye is doing his best to preserve tradition in the face of a changing world by marrying his daughters off in the traditional Jewish way. But revolution is in the air and the young are guided by their hearts, not their elders. When his daughters refuse the matchmaker's advice and marry for love instead, Tevye must choose between their happiness and his beloved traditions.

The musical, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem with a book by Joseph Stein and score by Jerry Block and Sheldon Harnick, originally opened on Broadway in 1964 and includes now-classic songs such as "Tradition", "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "If I Were a Rich Man". The current West End cast also features Alexandra Silber, Damian Humbley, Julie Legrand and Victor McGuire. The production is designed by Peter McKintosh and features the original choreography of Jerome Robbins (recreated by Sammy Dallas Bates with additions by Kate Flatt).

Following a second regional tour this spring, Never Forget, which premiered in July 2007 in Cardiff, opens on 21 May 2008 (previews from 7 May) at the Savoy, where it’s initially booking until 25 October 2008. The new musical has also been nominated – for Best Regional Production – in this year’s Theatregoers’ Choice Awards. No interim production has been announced for the Savoy.

- by Terri Paddock

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