fiddler hits the stage

The musical has a book by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and it is based on Sholem Aleichem’s delightful stories about the rural life of a Jewish family set in the Ukraine.

Richard Potts, as the Jewish milkman, Tevye, leads a large and talented cast in a powerful and uplifting production of this much loved musical, one of the longest running in musical theatre history.

Tevye’s traditional Jewish family life is turned upside down as the spread of revolutionary ideas in Tsarist Russia in 1905 reaches even the little village of Anatevka.

Tevye, his wife and his five daughters face upheaval in their world bringing poignant and heart-rending changes to all their lives.

This show touches audiences with its humour and passion, warmth and honesty, bringing tears and laughter in equal measure, and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity in such unforgettable songs as Tradition!, If I Were A Rich Man, Matchmaker, Sunrise, Sunset, Far From The Home I Love and Do You Love Me?

The original 1964 Broadway production of the show became the first musical to surpass the 3,000 performance mark.

It went on hold the record for being the longest-running Broadway musical in history for almost ten years until Grease overtook its long run.

The production earned over $1,500 for every dollar invested in it.

The show was nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning nine, including Best Musical, score, book, direction and choreography. A successful film adaptation was made in 1971.

Set in 1905, Fiddler on the Roof takes place in Anatevka, a small village in the Ukraine, not far from Kiev.

The story focusses on the dairyman Tevye and his valiant attempts to preserve his family’s Jewish traditions in the face of a rapidly changing world.

The cast of Fiddler On The Roof includes Sarah Potts as Tevye’s wife Golden, plus Rachael Louise Bray, Alexandra Hazard, Lucy Kent, Jon Morris, Craig Arme and Astrid Holford in other key roles.

Artistic director for the show is Jean Gemmell with 36 singers and dancers, plus a highly talented group of musicians, performing under the baton of Morris Fisher.

Tickets are £14, £17, £18 for the evening performances at 7.30pm with concessions at £15 and £16.

There is also a Saturday matinee performance at £13, £16, £17, from 2.30pm.

Concessions for the matinee are £14 and £15.

Concessions are for under 16s, over 60s, full-time students, registered disabled and registered unemployed. Group rates are also available.

Call the box office for tickets on 01332 59 39 39 or online www.derbytheatre.co.uk