Chester Operatic Society man keeps family tradition alive in Fiddler on the Roof

May 20 2010 by Jo Henwood, Flintshire Chronicle

Neil Tasker is keeping up a family tradition in his first role with the Chester Operatic Society.

Neil, 21, has landed the role of Fyedka in the society’s forthcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof at Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold in June.

The same role was played by Neil’s father, Phil, for the society 14 years ago at Chester’s Gateway Theatre when Phil was 41.

He is playing The Constable this time around and has refrained from offering Neil too much advice.

“All I can remember is that I had a pair of leather boots that squeaked!” he laughed.

Neil, who works for Cheshire West and Chester Council and lives in Hoole, is playing opposite Harriet Jones, another new face to the society, as his love Chava.

He said: “It’s a huge commitment. I used to just play football on a Saturday but this takes up so much more time.”

Other young actors who have joined the company for this classical musical are Chris Rowlands and Michael Biegel, stalwarts of the city’s Theatre in the Quarter. Chris, a talented singer and guitarist who regularly gigs at Telford’s Warehouse, plays Motel, the tailor and Michael, who teaches music at Queen’s Park High School, is the revolutionary student Perchik.

The lead role of Tevye, the milkman, will be played by Ian Whitfield opposite his wife, Barbara as his on-stage wife, Golde.

The show, set in a Jewish village in Tsarist Russia, includes the hit musical songs Tradition, Matchmaker, Sunrise Sunset and If I Were a Rich Man.

Fiddler on the Roof is at Clwyd Theatr Cymru from June 1-5. For tickets telephone 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk