The award-winning NETheatre York is reviving Fiddler on the Roof as the musical celebrates its 60th anniversary. The musical theatre company is staging the show – which contains such hit songs as if I Were a Rich Man, Miracle of Miracles, Matchmaker and Sunrise, Sunset – at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from April 23-27.
The story follows family man Tevye, his wife Golda and their five daughters. Tevye believes in his faith and traditions but must cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters who wish to marry for love. Their story is set against the background of villagers uniting against edict to evict Jews from the village.
Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, winning nine Tony Awards. The show was later turned into an Oscar-winning film starring Topol as Tevye, reprising the role he had originated on Broadway.
Steve Tearle, who directs the NETheatre production and plays Tevye, says the show may be 60 years old but is relevant today with the empowerment of women as Tevye’s daughters rebel against faith and tradition by choosing who they want to marry. The story highlights the struggles of the Jewish community too.
“We also wanted to do the show as a tribute to Mavis Masheder, who ran NETheatre for 70 years,” says Steve. Steve has played Tevye before and describes it as a “dream role”. “You get to go through so many emotions. It’s an honour to play this part again, bringing him to life with NETheatre’s amazing cast. It’s a fab experience.”
Perri Barley plays Tevye’s wife Golde with Maia Stroud, Rebecca Jackson, Elizabeth Farrell, Alexa Lord-Laverick and Paige Sidebottom as his daughters. Ali Butler Hind plays Yente with Alice Atang as The Fiddler, Tevye’s conscience.
The company also includes Kit Stroud, Callum Richardson, Finley Butler, Geoff Seavers, Toby Jensen, James O’Neill, Scott Barnes, Chris Hagyard, Kelvin Grant, Pascha Turnbull, Aileen Hall, Carolyn Jensen and Greg Roberts.
Fiddler on the Roof can be seen at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York from April 23-27 April with performances nightly at 7.30pm and Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets are available from josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk or by calling 01904 501935.
Stagey Lady 