A show that immerses all the senses and takes you away from the present day, exploring family, prejudice towards a person’s religion and tradition/change
Fiddler on the Roof has been a musical theatre classic since 1964 and it grips its place in musical theatre history, because of the tragic story it tells. It explores family, prejudice towards a person’s religion and tradition/change. Themes that although we cannot put ourselves into the shoes of the characters in this story. We can all relate in our own way to elements of the story, and prejudice towards religion is still an issue in the present day.
As an audience member you feel great empathy and emotion, because the way the show makes you know the characters, you feel like you are part of the community, and you feel the impact on the characters. It is a family, and the audience are placed in the story. You will not for one minute take your eyes off that stage.
You are in a seat in the depths of Regent’s Park, surrounded by trees and you can hear the wind whistling through the leaves. The stage has a roof and slope coming down onto the stage covered with wheat. This sets the scene of where the show is set. The Jewish community the musical is about live in a little town called ‘Anatevka’ in 1905 Russia. The setting and theatre are perfect for creating a realistic image in front of your eyes.
The characters in this community farmed their own produce, built their own homes, made their own clothes and built their community. As stated by the Rabbi: “Keep the Tsar far from us”, they lived their own lives and those who weren’t Jewish stayed away. “We don’t bother them and they don’t bother us”. You can see the clear divide between the jewish town’s people and the town’s people who were not jewish from the staging and the attitudes of the two groups towards each other.
The choice of having one set design, showed to the audience that characters don’t leave their community or communicate with those on the outside. They live in ignorant bliss and strictly follow their religious traditions. Nothing could go wrong right?
This production has some beautiful images and it’s heart breaking that you can’t take pictures. During the wedding scene, ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ the sun was setting at this time and the way as the sky darkens the candles light glows brighter is something you cannot comprehend. After this scene you see an orange light glimmering over the wheat fields to display the last of a beautiful sunset and how it slowly darkens. Absolute perfection. Also, When there is fire during the attack there is smoke rolling off the roof filling the stage around Tavye and you can smell the burning. This was a perfect image that immerses your senses.
Tavye played by Adam Dannheisser, was a perfect fit for the part. His strong accent is held throughout the whole show. He is Tavye, the way he speaks, moves and sings ticks every box. The asides by him show the consistent devotion to God, he isn’t speaking to the audience he is always speaking to God and as the show goes on he gets more and more desperate for God to listen to him and see him as the show goes on. Dannheisser has embodied Tavye successfully. Another character who stuck out to me was Tzeitel played by Liv Andrusier. She played a head strong daughter, who fought for what she wanted, I loved the way this was played and she symbolised the start of change to tradition. This was refreshing. Also, her performance during Tavye’s dream was absolutely astounding and very animated! One of the most intriguing ensemble scenes, you can’t miss it.
The costume style is traditional Jewish, with items such as prayer shawl and kippahs and village/farm worker wear of the era, with long skirts and baggy trousers. I did adore how the orchestra also wore costumes. This helped with immersing the audience in the show’s world. The only negative with the costume was one of the cast was wearing black skinny jeans.. Although, it did match the outfit, it just didn’t feel fitting to the era.
The most significant moment was the choreography for the bottle dance during the wedding. Jerome Robbins choreographed the original show. This section was kept true to the original and felt like a tip of the hat to him. Having closely studied this dance it was a core memory to be able to experience it live for its beauty and glory. Sometimes traditions are important. The choreography and performance from the actors throughout was astonishing, some amazing and impressive movements throughout the show. A very talented cast.
Overall, this production is ground breaking and perfectly put together. Each piece of the production’s puzzle is pieced together so meticulously from lighting, sound, smell to even the time of the day. This comes from a deep connection and love for the show from those who put it together. Jordan Fein, the director stated: “When i sat down and read it, I was in awe of what was on the page. Not to mention my family’s story and I’ve felt a connection throughout the entire process”. You do not need to be told this information, as an audience member, to know what was carefully directed came from a connection to the show. The attention to every detail makes it clear and it is beyond words how perfect this performance and production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof is and how it makes you feel as an audience member. You would be a fool to miss it and your life would be as shakey as a fiddler on the roof without it.