Fiddler on the Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

A heartfelt rendition of a great classic of the musical repertoire, director Jordan Fein’s Fiddler on the Roof is a wonderful experience that fuses a conservative production with some outstanding performances.

Set in the fictional village Anatevka in the early 20^th century, the plot features Jewish milkman Tevye (Adam Dannheisser), a proud husband and father of five daughters. Tevye is a traditionalist at heart, but as the times change and his children approach marriage differently than the old-fashioned matchmaking common in this community, they challenge him to reconsider his perspective on numerous issues.

While a lot happens in Fiddler, from light-hearted comedy and oppressive societal influences to occasional glimpses of the brutality of the pogroms, most of the action centres around Tevye. He’s a fascinating character who would rather live the way he always has, but through introspective thought, he usually, although sometimes reluctantly, manages to do what’s right. Dannheisser’s portrayal is stellar: he hits just the correct tone in all his pieces and has a fantastic delivery. The wider cast is equally strong in group numbers, while Lara Pulver is excellent as Golde and Liv Andrusier’s Tzeitel persuades throughout.

The staging designed by Tom Scutt is more traditional than not. With the odd exception, such as plastic chairs, most of the props and costumes are wonderfully evocative of the general place and time of the setting, as is the astounding choreography by Julia Chang. With boundless energy, all the dance routines are endlessly entertaining both to see and to hear. The Fiddler’s (Raphael Papo) omnipresence, too, is brilliantly done, giving him a bit of an otherworldly aura as he participates in all scenes.

As such, there is little to complain about here. While this might not be the most innovative of Fiddler on the Roof productions, it plays to the musical’s strengths in a show that is engaging and enjoyable. A stupendous success and well worth a look.

Michael Higgs
Photos: Marc Brenner

Fiddler on the Roof is at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 27^th July until 21^st September 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Fiddler on the Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre here: