REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Brian and Dayna Lee
in association with the Barbican
present
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Brian and Dayna Lee
in association with the Barbican
present
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of
29 September - 4 October
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
ON SALE NOW
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
ON SALE NOW
Since its very first production on New York’s famous Broadway in 1964, Fiddler On The Roof has become one of the most popular and most often performed theatre shows of all time. Based on the short stories of Shalom Aleichem, about Tevye the Milkman, the musical depicts lives of the Jewish inhabitants of a small, rural village in the Ukraine in the late 19th Century, just before the start of the pogroms, which forced them to abandon their homes and run for their lives with what they could carry, and find pastures new elsewhere. Sounds familiar?
‘Fiddler’ as it is affectionately known, seems more relevant and topical than ever. In honour of it’s 60th Anniversary, the Open Air Theatre, Regents Park mounted a brand new, site-specific production of the now classic musical, which was a runaway sellout success, and proved to be the most successful show ever staged at the venue.
This production has now been adapted once again, for indoor venues, and arrives this week at the Cliffs Pavilion as part of an extensive national tour of the UK and Ireland. The open stage is decorated with sheaves of corn, with a huge wooden ceiling, covered with a cornfield on top, and wooden ceiling underneath, onto which is carved Anatevka, the name of the village itself. A small but brilliant orchestra sits along the back, dressed in peasant costumes. A real violinist, as opposed to a mime artist, plays the famous opening theme, and we are off.
From the outset, it is clear that director Jordan Fein and his team have set out to ensure that this production is going to re-define our expectations of this musical. When Matthew Woodyatt, enters as Tevye, and begins to address the audience, this energetic and powerful actor immediately makes the role his own. He is young and physically imposing, with a simply thrilling singing voice. He also has strong Welsh accent, which is fairly unusual, I am sure, for Ukrainian, but then it turns out that in order to inject an extra note of realism, all the cast are encouraged to use their own accents. We have quite a mix, including a bracing East London cockney Golde, (Jodie Jacobs) and a North London Yente the Matchmaker (Beverley Klein).
The big opening number, Tradition, is sung and danced with great gusto, and this sets the scene for an evening which literally starts at full throttle and never for a second flags in pace. The first act alone is 90 minutes long, but never drags for a minute. One great number follows another, and each scene blends into the next in seconds. The entire company work like trojans. Their commitment to the storytelling is truly moving to see, and reveals some extremely beautiful singing. This is ensemble playing of the very highest order. From the haunting Sabbath Prayer, with outstanding solo from Jodie Jacobs, voice soaring over everyone, to the epic Dream sequence, which is created so cleverly before our eyes, with tables pushed together to make a very long bed, followed by the achingly tender wedding scene, the effect is utterly hypnotic. They also pull off a simply astounding ‘Bottle Dance’ in the wedding celebration.
This production is so full of top class performances, it is almost impossible to single out individual actors for extra praise, but suffice to say, the whole night rests very firmly on the shoulders of the actor playing Tevye, the story teller. This character is so complex, and makes huge demands. He has to be able to reach out to us, show his devotion to his Jewish faith, and also a deep love for his family. It is Tevye, whose tender heart his daughters know they can reach and appeal to, and Matthew Woodyatt captures every facet here, whilst bringing the house down with the most finely sung If I Were A Rich Man I have ever heard.
This production also gives us a virtuoso violinist, Roman Lytwyniw, who plays every note from memory, and also dances and interacts throughout. What a treat it is to hear him. In another striking moment, Hannah Bristol, as 3rd daughter, Chava, at the moment she is rejected by her father for marrying out of the faith, enters playing clarinet, with her cries of pain fully depicted in an intense duet with the ‘Fiddler.’
The lighting, by Aideen Malone, creates some stunning images and silhouettes, and the sound by Nick Lidster is excellent.
I would go as far to say that this production of Fiddler On The Roof is not only the best production of the many I have seen, but also one of the very best shows ever to have played at the Cliffs Pavilion. It’s a real honour to have it visit us here. It’s on until Saturday 4th October, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
Do not miss your chance to see it.
Review by Andrew Walters
‘Fiddler’ as it is affectionately known, seems more relevant and topical than ever. In honour of it’s 60th Anniversary, the Open Air Theatre, Regents Park mounted a brand new, site-specific production of the now classic musical, which was a runaway sellout success, and proved to be the most successful show ever staged at the venue.
This production has now been adapted once again, for indoor venues, and arrives this week at the Cliffs Pavilion as part of an extensive national tour of the UK and Ireland. The open stage is decorated with sheaves of corn, with a huge wooden ceiling, covered with a cornfield on top, and wooden ceiling underneath, onto which is carved Anatevka, the name of the village itself. A small but brilliant orchestra sits along the back, dressed in peasant costumes. A real violinist, as opposed to a mime artist, plays the famous opening theme, and we are off.
From the outset, it is clear that director Jordan Fein and his team have set out to ensure that this production is going to re-define our expectations of this musical. When Matthew Woodyatt, enters as Tevye, and begins to address the audience, this energetic and powerful actor immediately makes the role his own. He is young and physically imposing, with a simply thrilling singing voice. He also has strong Welsh accent, which is fairly unusual, I am sure, for Ukrainian, but then it turns out that in order to inject an extra note of realism, all the cast are encouraged to use their own accents. We have quite a mix, including a bracing East London cockney Golde, (Jodie Jacobs) and a North London Yente the Matchmaker (Beverley Klein).
The big opening number, Tradition, is sung and danced with great gusto, and this sets the scene for an evening which literally starts at full throttle and never for a second flags in pace. The first act alone is 90 minutes long, but never drags for a minute. One great number follows another, and each scene blends into the next in seconds. The entire company work like trojans. Their commitment to the storytelling is truly moving to see, and reveals some extremely beautiful singing. This is ensemble playing of the very highest order. From the haunting Sabbath Prayer, with outstanding solo from Jodie Jacobs, voice soaring over everyone, to the epic Dream sequence, which is created so cleverly before our eyes, with tables pushed together to make a very long bed, followed by the achingly tender wedding scene, the effect is utterly hypnotic. They also pull off a simply astounding ‘Bottle Dance’ in the wedding celebration.
This production is so full of top class performances, it is almost impossible to single out individual actors for extra praise, but suffice to say, the whole night rests very firmly on the shoulders of the actor playing Tevye, the story teller. This character is so complex, and makes huge demands. He has to be able to reach out to us, show his devotion to his Jewish faith, and also a deep love for his family. It is Tevye, whose tender heart his daughters know they can reach and appeal to, and Matthew Woodyatt captures every facet here, whilst bringing the house down with the most finely sung If I Were A Rich Man I have ever heard.
This production also gives us a virtuoso violinist, Roman Lytwyniw, who plays every note from memory, and also dances and interacts throughout. What a treat it is to hear him. In another striking moment, Hannah Bristol, as 3rd daughter, Chava, at the moment she is rejected by her father for marrying out of the faith, enters playing clarinet, with her cries of pain fully depicted in an intense duet with the ‘Fiddler.’
The lighting, by Aideen Malone, creates some stunning images and silhouettes, and the sound by Nick Lidster is excellent.
I would go as far to say that this production of Fiddler On The Roof is not only the best production of the many I have seen, but also one of the very best shows ever to have played at the Cliffs Pavilion. It’s a real honour to have it visit us here. It’s on until Saturday 4th October, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
Do not miss your chance to see it.
Review by Andrew Walters
Photo credits: Marc Brenner
Following a triumphant sold-out season at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre last year, the “sublime” (The Guardian) critically acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof transfers to London’s Barbican Theatre this summer, followed by a major UK and Ireland tour.
This must-see theatrical event of 2025 will begin a strictly limited eight-week season on 24 May until 19 July. Barbican tickets go on sale on Thursday 23 January* from FiddlerOnTheRoofUK.com
The Barbican season will immediately be followed by a major five-month UK and Ireland tour which opens on 24 July until 6 December – the first UK tour of this classic musical in over 12 years – offering audiences around the UK and Ireland a rare opportunity to see this musical masterpiece in an acclaimed new production, direct from the West End. See listings below for on-sale dates.
Fiddler on the Roof is one of the greatest musicals of all time with one of the finest scores ever written featuring: ‘If I Were A Rich Man’, ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’, this classic musical of joy, revolution and community is an exuberant celebration of love and life.
This electrifying masterpiece is the next in the series of great summer musicals at the Barbican, as part of the partnership between Trafalgar Theatre Productions and the Barbican. This follows the previous smash-hit summer classic musical extravaganzas Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate and the multi-award-winning new musical A Strange Loop.
This is a rare opportunity to catch this “exuberant” (The Standard) production, led by the powerhouse creative team of director Jordan Fein (Oklahoma, Young Vic), choreographer Julia Cheng (Cabaret) and designer Tom Scutt (Winner of the 2024 Tony Award for Cabaret). Casting will be announced soon.
It’s 1905 in the tiny village of Anatevka where Tevye, a Jewish milkman, lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, that means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, can Tevye hold on to his roots, or must he bend to the will of his children and learn to embrace the unfamiliar?
Howard Panter, producer, said: “I saw this incredible production last summer and was immediately blown away. I'm delighted – with our partners – to bring this masterpiece to the Barbican and on tour for what will be one of the major cultural highlights of the year. It was completely sold out during its Regent’s Park run, so this new production will give many more people the chance to see musical theatre at its very best.”
Drew McOnie and James Pidgeon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Chief Executives, said: “As part of an ongoing commitment to the touring of our work beyond Regent’s Park, we could not be more thrilled that our production of Fiddler on the Roof, created by a visionary team under the leadership of Jordan Fein, is getting a further life following it’s record-breaking run at the Open Air Theatre last summer. We’re really looking forward to working with our producing partners to take this wonderful production to even more audiences across the country.”
Toni Racklin, Barbican Head of Theatre & Dance, said: "We are delighted to welcome Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's fantastic production of Fiddler on the Roof to the Barbican Theatre, continuing our wonderful relationship with Trafalgar Theatre Productions in offering our audiences another spectacular summer musical experience."
This must-see theatrical event of 2025 will begin a strictly limited eight-week season on 24 May until 19 July. Barbican tickets go on sale on Thursday 23 January* from FiddlerOnTheRoofUK.com
The Barbican season will immediately be followed by a major five-month UK and Ireland tour which opens on 24 July until 6 December – the first UK tour of this classic musical in over 12 years – offering audiences around the UK and Ireland a rare opportunity to see this musical masterpiece in an acclaimed new production, direct from the West End. See listings below for on-sale dates.
Fiddler on the Roof is one of the greatest musicals of all time with one of the finest scores ever written featuring: ‘If I Were A Rich Man’, ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’, this classic musical of joy, revolution and community is an exuberant celebration of love and life.
This electrifying masterpiece is the next in the series of great summer musicals at the Barbican, as part of the partnership between Trafalgar Theatre Productions and the Barbican. This follows the previous smash-hit summer classic musical extravaganzas Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate and the multi-award-winning new musical A Strange Loop.
This is a rare opportunity to catch this “exuberant” (The Standard) production, led by the powerhouse creative team of director Jordan Fein (Oklahoma, Young Vic), choreographer Julia Cheng (Cabaret) and designer Tom Scutt (Winner of the 2024 Tony Award for Cabaret). Casting will be announced soon.
It’s 1905 in the tiny village of Anatevka where Tevye, a Jewish milkman, lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, that means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, can Tevye hold on to his roots, or must he bend to the will of his children and learn to embrace the unfamiliar?
Howard Panter, producer, said: “I saw this incredible production last summer and was immediately blown away. I'm delighted – with our partners – to bring this masterpiece to the Barbican and on tour for what will be one of the major cultural highlights of the year. It was completely sold out during its Regent’s Park run, so this new production will give many more people the chance to see musical theatre at its very best.”
Drew McOnie and James Pidgeon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Chief Executives, said: “As part of an ongoing commitment to the touring of our work beyond Regent’s Park, we could not be more thrilled that our production of Fiddler on the Roof, created by a visionary team under the leadership of Jordan Fein, is getting a further life following it’s record-breaking run at the Open Air Theatre last summer. We’re really looking forward to working with our producing partners to take this wonderful production to even more audiences across the country.”
Toni Racklin, Barbican Head of Theatre & Dance, said: "We are delighted to welcome Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's fantastic production of Fiddler on the Roof to the Barbican Theatre, continuing our wonderful relationship with Trafalgar Theatre Productions in offering our audiences another spectacular summer musical experience."
What the critics have said:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A MASTERCLASS IN BALANCING INNOVATION AND TRADITION.
FEIN AND FIDDLER ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN”
Daily Telegraph
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“SHOWSTOPPER. SPEAKS TO THE PRESENT. SUBLIME”
The Guardian
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“JORDAN FEIN’S REVIVAL IS A TRIUMPH OF TRUTH”
The Stage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“LIBERATING, EXUBERANT - HUGELY MOVING”
Evening Standard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A POTENT EVENING THAT’S HARD TO FORGET”
The Times
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A MUSICAL TRIUMPH”
The i
Produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince
Original New York stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Presented in association with the Barbican
BARBICAN LISTINGS INFORMATION
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
First Performance: 24 May 2025
Final performance: 9 July 2025
From 24 May - 7 June: Mon - Sat at 7.30pm and matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm
From 9 June - 19 July: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm and matinees Tue, Thu & Sat at 2.30pm
Running time: Approx 2 hours 40 minutes (inc. interval)
Age guidance: 12+
*Tickets on sale as follows:
Monday 20 January at 10am: Barbican Premier, Principal and Director's Circle Patrons
Tuesday 21 January at 10am: Barbican Patrons
Wednesday 22 January at 10am: Barbican Members, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Members and Groups
Thursday 23 January at 10am: General Public on-sale
Access Performances:
BSL Interpreted: Wednesday 25 June, 7.30pm
Audio Described: Saturday 28 June, 2.30pm
Captioned: Wednesday 2 July, 7.30pm
Tickets from £25.00
Barbican Box Office: Barbican.org.uk or 020 7870 2500
(Telephone lines open Monday to Friday, 12.00 – 5.30pm)
Social Media:
Website: FiddlerOnTheRoofUK.com
X: @FiddlerRoofUK
Facebook: @FiddlerOnTheRoofUK
Instagram: @FiddlerOnTheRoofUK
Original New York stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Presented in association with the Barbican
BARBICAN LISTINGS INFORMATION
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
First Performance: 24 May 2025
Final performance: 9 July 2025
From 24 May - 7 June: Mon - Sat at 7.30pm and matinees Thu & Sat 2.30pm
From 9 June - 19 July: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm and matinees Tue, Thu & Sat at 2.30pm
Running time: Approx 2 hours 40 minutes (inc. interval)
Age guidance: 12+
*Tickets on sale as follows:
Monday 20 January at 10am: Barbican Premier, Principal and Director's Circle Patrons
Tuesday 21 January at 10am: Barbican Patrons
Wednesday 22 January at 10am: Barbican Members, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Members and Groups
Thursday 23 January at 10am: General Public on-sale
Access Performances:
BSL Interpreted: Wednesday 25 June, 7.30pm
Audio Described: Saturday 28 June, 2.30pm
Captioned: Wednesday 2 July, 7.30pm
Tickets from £25.00
Barbican Box Office: Barbican.org.uk or 020 7870 2500
(Telephone lines open Monday to Friday, 12.00 – 5.30pm)
Social Media:
Website: FiddlerOnTheRoofUK.com
X: @FiddlerRoofUK
Facebook: @FiddlerOnTheRoofUK
Instagram: @FiddlerOnTheRoofUK
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - UK & IRELAND TOUR 2025
DATE
VENUE
24 - 26 July
BROMLEY CHURCHILL THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
28 July - 2 August
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
4 - 9 August
BELFAST GRAND OPERA HOUSE
ON SALE SOON
11 - 16 August
NORWICH THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
18 - 23 August
NOTTINGHAM CONCERT HALL
ON SALE NOW
25 - 30 August
BRISTOL HIPPODROME
ON SALE NOW
8 - 13 September
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
15 - 20 September
HIGH WYCOMBE SWAN THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
22 - 27 September
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
ON SALE NOW
29 September - 4 October
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
ON SALE NOW
6 - 11 October
DUBLIN BORD GÁIS THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
13 - 18 October
DUBLIN BORD GÁIS THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
20 - 25 October
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
27 October - 1 November
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
3 - 8 November
EASTBOURNE CONGRESS THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
10 - 15 November
CANTERBURY MARLOWE THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
17 - 22 November
CARDIFF NEW THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
24 - 29 November
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE
ON SALE SOON
DATE
VENUE
24 - 26 July
BROMLEY CHURCHILL THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
28 July - 2 August
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
4 - 9 August
BELFAST GRAND OPERA HOUSE
ON SALE SOON
11 - 16 August
NORWICH THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
18 - 23 August
NOTTINGHAM CONCERT HALL
ON SALE NOW
25 - 30 August
BRISTOL HIPPODROME
ON SALE NOW
8 - 13 September
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
15 - 20 September
HIGH WYCOMBE SWAN THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
22 - 27 September
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
ON SALE NOW
29 September - 4 October
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
ON SALE NOW
6 - 11 October
DUBLIN BORD GÁIS THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
13 - 18 October
DUBLIN BORD GÁIS THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
20 - 25 October
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
27 October - 1 November
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
3 - 8 November
EASTBOURNE CONGRESS THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
10 - 15 November
CANTERBURY MARLOWE THEATRE
ON SALE SOON
17 - 22 November
CARDIFF NEW THEATRE
ON SALE NOW
24 - 29 November
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE
ON SALE SOON