Newbury Operatic Society |
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The Newbury Operatic Society web site is at www.newburyoperatic.co.uk |
Last production
Fiddler on the Roof, 7th to 10th April 2010
Music by Jerry Bock. Book by Joseph Stein. Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.
Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem. The heart-warming story of
the dairyman Tevye, his family, and the village of Anatevka in
Czarist Russia where faith and love inspire a generation. One of
the most successful and long-running musicals of all time, the score
includes such favourite songs as If I Were A Rich Man,
Match-maker, Tradition and Sunrise, Sunset.
See the review below.
Tickets
From the Corn Exchange, 01635 522733. Ticket prices £12.50 (£9.00 concessions). Concessions are not available on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening performances.
Where
Newbury Corn Exchange.Previous productions
Night at the Oscars, 22nd to 24th October 2009
Kiss Me, Kate, 14th to 18th April 2009. See the review in the
Archive.
Jack the Ripper, 16th to 18th October 2008
The Pajama Game, 8th to 12th April 2008. See the review in the
Archive.
The Pirates of Penzance, 18th to 20th October 2007. See the
review in the Archive.
Thoroughly Modern Millie, 10th to 14th April 2007. See the review in
the Archive.
Calamity Jane, 18th to 22nd April 2006. See the review in
the Archive.
Old Tyme Music Hall, 15th to 16th September 2006
Calamity Jane, 18th to 22nd April 2006
Hello Dolly!, 29th March to 2nd April 2005. See the review in the
Archive.
Into the Woods, 2nd to 3rd July 2004. See the review in the
Archive.
HMS Pinafore and The Zoo, 13th to 17th April 2004. See the
review in the Archive.
South Pacific, 22nd to 26th April 2003. See the review in the
Archive.
Trial By Jury, 10th October 2003, at the Ramada Hotel, Elcot Park.
A Gilbert & Sullivan Evening, 24th and 25th October 2002.
See the review in the Archive.
Oklahoma!, 2nd to 6th April 2002.
See the review in the Archive.
My Fair Lady, 17th to 21st April 2001. See the review in the
Archive.
Review of Fiddler on the Roof
7th to 10th April 2010.
From the Newbury Weekly News.
Very fine Fiddler indeedJeremy Mann heads an excellent cast in NOPS' musical set in 1905 RussiaNewbury Operatic Society: Fiddler on the Roof, at the Corn Exchange, Newbury from Wednesday, April 7 to Saturday, April 10 The story of a poor Jewish family living in Anatevka, that village that has the unique feature of a fiddler on the roof, takes longer to tell than many another musical and makes immense demands on the leading character. However, a glance at the programme proved reassuring, for not only was the talented Jeremy Mann cast as Tevye, the Pappa, but that first-rate musician Michael Evans was in his customary place in charge of the always-excellent orchestra. It promised to be a wonderful evening, and so it proved. With a gift for communicating with his audience, Mann took hold of the role and whether being rumbustious or reflective, dancing or distressed, made the most of every word, bringing to light nuances I had not recognised in other productions. A remarkable performance. His rich voice blended well with that of Sam Spaak, a perfect foil as his wife Golde, and their duets were a delight, especially when leading the ensemble Sabbath Prayer. The three elder daughters, played by Kate Leek (Tzeitel), Danielle Craig (Hodel) and Natalie Issit (Chava), fitted into this excellent family well, bringing out the contrast between the characters. Each had particularly memorable moments, Tzeitel pleading to marry the man of her choice, Chava's poignant attempts to bid her family farewell and, perhaps most heartbreaking of all, Hodel singing the lovely Far From the Home I Love, as she explains to Tevye her reasons for leaving to find the rebellious Perchik (Daryl Hurst). There was good support in the smaller roles, particularly Russell Barrett as Tzeitel's disappointed suitor, Lazar Wolf, and Sam Murray as the garrulous matchmaker Yente, and it was great to see younger enthusiasts joining the more experienced members of Newbury Operatic Society. The chorus surpassed themselves, both acting and musically, making the walls of the Corn Exchange reverberate with good, accurate singing. They used the dynamics to great effect, as evidenced in the joyous, contemplative wedding song Sunrise, Sunset, sung just before the Russians burst in and Anatevka's world was torn apart. It is this contrast between joy and sorrow that gives Fiddler its great attraction. The show requires an excellent cast to succeed; director Christopher Rands chose well and what resulted was a superb production. CAROLINE FRANKLIN |