Fiddler on the Roof – Review

Fiddler on the Roof: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London

29th August 2024

★★★★ 

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre always put on fantastic series of shows during the summer months and this year it is the turn of Fiddler on the Roof. The original Broadway show which opened in 1964 has been reimagined and directed by Jorden Fein and features glorious songs such as, ‘If I Were A Rich Man’, ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’. The story is set in 1905 where Tevye, a milkman in the tiny village of Anatevka, lives his life by their proud Jewish religious and cultural traditions. For his five daughters, that means a visit from the matchmaker… But as each daughter challenges his beliefs, he must cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters who wish to marry for love.

The lively cast are superb with Ralph Bogard (alternate Tevye) leading the cast brilliantly with a natural charm and humour in addition to his command of stage. His famous monologues are performed excellently. Liv Andrusier is charismatic and energetic as Tzeitel and the relationship between her and her onstage sisters (Georgia Bruce and Hannah Bristow) is realistic and moving. Lara Pulver plays the sharp tongued Golde, Tevye’s long suffering wife, excellently and the song ‘Do You Love Me?‘ is sung with real meaning. Beverley Klein’s Yente, the matchmaker, is played with good humour and the entire ensemble cast are energetic and in character throughout the show.

The inventive set by Tom Scutt is modern yet still in keeping with the poverty experienced by the milkman and his family in Anatevka. On a single level, the band are not hidden from the audience and the cast remain onstage during most of the show. The fiddler, Raphael Papo, appears on the roof of the set, walking through the fields of crops. The set remains the same throughout the show with a dramatic climax at the end of Act 1. The props and in-keeping costumes take the audience back in time to the brink of the First World War and help bring the story alive. The show, whilst being over half a century old, is still relevant with its feminist views and unfortunately its message about antisemitism and human displacement is still experienced today by many people, particularly with recent conflicts.

The cast are excellent in this new production and with Jordan Fein’s direction the show manages to keep to its traditional roots and yet still have a modern and fresh feel. Hopefully it will serve to educate people about Jewish customs and remind them of how little differences there truly are between people – after all the emotions felt and stories of love told could be from any religion/culture. The story of one community under threat is a plea for greater empathy from everyone. Fiddler on the Roof is a fantastic revival, beautifully told by a highly talented cast with a meaningful and thought provoking storyline.

Fiddler on the Roof runs until the 28th September 2024. For more information and tickets click here.

Photo credit: Marc Brenner