FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Milton Musical Society

Regent Centre

Christchurch

March 2004

 

 

THE success of this show rests largely on the actor playing Tevye, the Russian milkman much given to chatty conversations with God, as he is rarely off the stage.
 

And Max White is well-nigh perfect in the role, bringing out his character’s underlying softness beneath the bluster with great singing and acting, a beautifully modulated (occasionally perhaps just a little too cultured) speaking voice and an appealing twinkle in his eyes.
 

He is well matched in characterisation by Christine Eastwood as his wife, Golde, and the two of them set a high standard for others to follow. Marie Coltman, Susy Senior, Cora Hardy, Laura Antram and Julia Antram are also hugely likeable as the daughters of the family, and there is a lovely performance too from Vivienne Lucas as Yente, the Matchmaker. Other roles are, in the main, also well played and the chorus is lively and animated.

 

Margaret Coltman’s production scores highly on humour - the Dream scene is particularly effective, with superb cameos from Margaret Trickett (Grandma Tzeitel) and Jill Nuthall (Fruma-Sarah) - but the pathos is also well brought out. This created a balanced and enjoyable show, slightly marred only by the fact that I could see straight into the wings from my seat.

 

Linda Kirkman

Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo