Fiddler on the Roof (Manor Musical Theatre Company)

There is something still very emotional about the story of Tevye and his family in Anatevka and something surprisingly current considering what is happening at this time in Ukraine all empathetically portrayed by Manor Musical Theatre Company at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, you could almost imagine you were there in reality.

Tam Weir is an outstanding Tevye building an instant rapport with the audience and maintaining that connection throughout along with his role as narrator and storyteller. He is ably supported by a large female family contingent led by a dominant yet caring performance from Paula O'Hare as Golde his wife.

Large families are obviously the order of the day and there are five daughters to account for here, eldest Tzeitel played with controlled passion by Sasha Marsh. Almost forced into marriage with aging (and wealthy) butcher Lazar Wolf (a potent portrayal from Richard Parry) before convincing her father to break with 'tradition' and allow her to give into love and marry Motel, local tailor and all round nice guy (played equally nicely by Dan McCloskey).

Second daughter Hodel (a vocal triumph from Malaika Martin) taking the lead from her elder sibling and forcing her father's hand again by making her own decision to fall for student revolutionary Perchik (a particularly strong and engaging performance from Jack Goode).

Third daughter Chava is not content with just a flagrant lack of 'tradition' and becomes involved with Russian policeman Fyedka (a strong character performance from Jamie Wilson) almost alienating her father totally.

One can only imagine what fourth and fifth daughters, Shprintze and Bielke (Millie Taylor and Aoife Davies) might have in store for their poor papa who is now questioning his role as leader of the family and everything he has previously believed in. We can be sure that busybody matchmaker Yente (a delightfully 'Jewish' performance from Lynette Coffey) will have something to do with it if she can.

There are some particularly powerful cameo performances in this production, Raphael Lawrence as a bellicose Police Constable, Chris Buckley-Dyer's excitable Rabbi, Linda Park's ghostly Grandma Tzeitel, Lia Cadman's downright scary Fruma Sarah and a real 'Fiddler on the Roof' in the form of Jane Ware.

There are only a few classic musicals (probably described as from the 'old school') that don't come from the stable of Rodgers & Hammerstein, this is one with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein and it is obvious why it stands the test of time, some stories can never be told too often.

This production is well produced in every aspect much to the credit of Pam & James Garrington (Directors), Tim Harding (Musical Director) and Jennie Mason (Choreographer), so don't miss it and enjoy many songs that you probably didn't realise were part of the 'Fiddler' experience.

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