It might sound slightly odd to say that a musical focuses on the music – but not every one does.
This production of Fiddler on the Roof, transferred from Regents Park to the Barbican and now Norwich as part of its UK tour, puts Jerry Bock’s score at its heart with startling arrangements for its 12 strong orchestra.
From its breathtaking opening, with the titular Fiddler playing on a reed-covered moving mezzanine that stretches the width of the stage, this is an immaculately imagined show from director Jordan Fein and designer Tom Scott.
Their artistry is matched by the cast, led by Matthew Woodyatt as Teyve, the father to five daughters whose belief in tradition comes up against the shifting world around him. Woodyatt merrily breaks the fourth wall, bringing the audience into the action with an abundance of warmth and humanity, and a gorgeously sonorous voice. There are some especially sparky moments of interaction with Roman Lytwyniw’s fiddler, who roams the stage as he plays.
The rest of the cast don’t play second, er, fiddle though: this is a strong company throughout. Matchmaker matchmaker is perfect in the hands of Natasha Jules Bernard, Hannah Bristow, and Georgia Bruce as the three eldest daughters. That includes spot-on impressions of Beverley Klein’s archly comic Yente, the quintessential Jewish grand dame, who also shines.
Sunrise, Sunset, played out to the background of the wedding is a strong moment of stillness and beauty – quicky followed by the frenetic Bottle Dance that featured either some impressive poise or some craftily-concealed magnets. Possibly both.
Given the story’s setting in what would now be Ukraine, its strong Jewish identity, and the closing scenes of ethnic displacement it’s tempting to lay modern political messaging on top of it – and it is certainly depressing that the tragedies of the story are not the distant, unimaginable, memories they should be.
But for me this production is about something stronger: the love of Teyve for his daughters, the power of us as individuals, and the solidarity of community. These things aren’t perfect, but they are worth remembering and celebrating.
That it does it so with such style and grace makes it doubly worth seeing, if you can catch one of the remaining tickets.
- Fiddler on the Roof continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 16 August, tickets £20-£62, then touring nationally.
