Fiddler on the Roof

The 1964 Fiddler was the first stage musical to explore the Jewish way of life. Sholem Aleichem, on whose stories the musical is based, lived in the Ukraine until 1905, then fled when the Tsar began to evict Jews from their villages. The turn-of-the-19^th-century decades saw social changes not unlike those of the 1960s.            

Tevye the Milkman is distressed that three of his five daughters are breaking tradition by choosing their own husbands. Base Baritone Neil Ballment as Tevye commanded the stage ─ dramatically and vocally. 

Elizabeth Millington, Roslyn Buitenhuis and Mairead Matthews (rebellious daughters Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava respectively) won us over with their feisty spirit and commitment as well as with their singing. 

It was easy to see where their genes came from: their equally feisty mother Golde (Ros Booth).

One other voice impressed me, Matthew Parakas’ crisp clear tenor. His minor role (Fyedka) left a major mark.

Congratulations to the design team for an attractive and very practical set, and costumes consistent with ethnicity and the period.

Unfortunately pace and attack were lacking. It could have run 15 minutes shorter. Scene changes needed to be made faster and with less noise. The orchestra was below par. I was never quite sure whether they were waiting for the actor(s) or vice versa.

But hey, the patrons loved it. That’s what matters.

Jay McKee

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