Fiddler on the Roof

After a sell out production of Spring Awakening at this year’s Fringe Festival, EUSOG continue their run of hits with a bright and bolshie Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Ailis Duff with musical direction by Luka Bjelis. The musical tells the story of the Jewish community of Anatevka, a small village in Tsarist Russia. The focus of the drama is on world weary but kind Tevye (Neville Billimoria) the milkman, his long suffering wife Golde (Stella Merz) and their five daughters.

Through Tevye’s eyes we learn about the village traditions unchanged for centuries, and the way that his daughters are challenging those traditions by wanting to marry for love, not respectability. We also witness how the peaceful life of the community is eventually destroyed by the horror of the Russian pogroms, a wave of Anti-Semitic hate that drove thousands of Jews out of their homes and over the sea to America.

This story of ordinary people struggling with poverty, injustice, and each other, is brought vividly to life through classic songs such as 'If I was a Rich Man', 'Tradition' and 'Sunrise, Sunset', all brilliantly performed by the large cast. Out of this talented group special mention has to go to Billimoria. Despite never having acted on stage before he gives a performance of such depth, comedy, heart and panache that it wouldn’t be out of place on the West End. He holds the production together, never letting it slip into sentimentality or farce. His performance is ably supported by a hilarious Mertz as Golde, and an ensemble that makes you believe fully in the life and concerns of each character, and the deep bonds that hold them all together. Add to the mix the subtly powerful orchestral direction by Dan Glover, and original, engaging choreography by Miriam Early, and you have a musical that transcends the usual level of student theatre to become something truly special. A real treat, and just in time for Hanukkah.