Chester Operatic Society: Fiddler on the Roof Clwyd Theatr Cymru June 1 - 5 2010

Jun 2 2010 By Jo Henwood

CHESTER Operatic Society’s has stuck with tradition for its latest production.

Fiddler on the Roof is playing at Clwyd Theatr Cymru this week (until Saturday, June 5) and the 40-strong cast tell the tale of Jewish family life in Russia at the turn of the 20th century with the intensity, charm and humour it deserves.

The action centres on the life of Tevye, the milkman, and the challenges he faces when his five daughters reach marriageable age.

Ian Whitfield’s portrayal of the humble father, whose paternal love is at odds with his rabbinic tradition, was near-professional and duets with his real-life and stage wife Golde (Barbara Whitfield) were moving and intense.  The relationship between the couple and their three elder daughters Tzeitel (Ruth Buckley), Hodel (Jenefer Baker) and Chava (Harriet Jones) was particularly strong.

Tzeitel’s relationship with Motel the tailor (Chriss (correct) Rowlands was the most credible of the three although Michael Biegel as revolutionary student Perchik and Neil Tasker as Russian soldier Fyedka were plausible enough.

Vanda Hargen was comical as Yente, the matchmaker, who endeavours to justify her existence by mis-matching potential suitors with Tevye’s daughters and providing endless tittle-tattle at the market.

The dream sequence in Tevye’s bedroom was a theatrical delight with the ghost of Fruma-Sarah (Karen Bishop), dead wife of the jilted Lazar Wolf, and a troupe of weird and wonderful dancers, choreographed by Claire Jones, threatening all sorts of doom and disaster.

The quality of the singing throughout was excellent and there were some excellent dance performances.
Directed by Nick Sample, the show is a gem, if half an hour too long. 

Fiddler on the Roof is at Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold until Saturday, June 5.  Tickets from the Box Office on 0845 330 3565.