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Fiddler on the Roof Malvern Theatres **** Our Star Theatre Company’s Community Musical at Malvern’s Forum Theatre is a lively, colourful and hugely enjoyable presentation of the famous musical Fiddler on the Roof. The anti-Semitic theme that permeates the story is very topical at this moment in our history: the Jewish community of Anatevka is threatened with the approaching pogrom that will eventually drive them from their village. The story focuses on the milkman Tevye, his wife and their five daughters. Tevye struggles to come to terms with cultural changes – his Jewish traditions are challenged by the younger generation who want to marry for love, not according to the arrangement of some matchmaker, the machinations of their mother or the dictates of their father. This production springs into animated life with the arrival on stage of the large community cast: we immediately get a sense of a whole village community, the children mingling, singing and dancing with the parents and grandparents. The community life is passionate, creative and colourful despite the poverty that afflicts many: the singing, the dancing and the costumes make a wonderful impact. The live musicians led by Chris Corcoran with Sophie Watkins as the onstage Fiddler bring the emotional fluctuations powerfully alive - moments of love, anger, grief, hilarity and pathos. Tevye is at the centre of this story. Sam Jenkins performs brilliantly with his vey human struggles with the changes that are forced upon him by his family and the wider community and society. He sings well, he has an excellent if slightly understated comic style. He wrestles with his desire to be faithful to the Jewish cultural traditions, his puzzlement at God’s sovereign control of his life and situations, and his strong love for his family.
Sam Jenkins as Tevye, contemplating the possibilities of being rich His wife Golde played by Heather Cambridge has a strong presence. His three older daughters, played by Emily Chambers ((Tzeitel), Emonie Huckle (Hodel) and Erin Hayter (Chava), are all strong performers. Emonie Huckle’s dancing and the scene at the railway station, when she is leaving the home and family that she loves to be with her imprisoned fiancé, are very moving. All aspects of this production are very commendable. With such a large cast of community performers there will always be some variations in the skills of individuals, but the energy of the whole company, the pace and variety of mood all make for a wonderful evening’s entertainment. The wedding scene which moved from solemnity, to chaos, to vibrant celebration was beautifully directed. The choreography (Destiny Dawe) had a lovely Jewish character, the lighting and the music all made for a rich evening. Ben Mowbray has done a consummate job of bringing the production together. Fiddler on the Roof is a great family show and runs in the Forum Theatre till the 27th July. Tim Crow 24-07-24 |
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