Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Jodie Jacobs shines as Golde, the wife of Tevye. Her voice is breathtaking, particularly in the powerful finale scene. Emotionally she matches superbly to Woodyatt. It’s a sublime pairing.
The score for the show is so rich with some of the most iconic in the musical theatre canon. The work by Jerry Bock (music) and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) is first class. The well known songs do all come in the first act but this doesn’t lessen the second act in any way. The on stage orchestra are magnificent and create the soundscape with real skill. It sounds so beautiful.
A theatrical triumph, winner of 3 Olivier Awards in 2025 including Best Musical Revival, Fiddler On The Roof makes a highly anticipated return to Nottingham for one week only, promising to be the theatre event of 2025, as part of a UK Tour.
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| Jodie Jacobs (Golde) and Matthew Woodyatt (Tevye). Photo by Johan Persson. |
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production marks the first UK tour of this classic musical in over 12 years. It’s clear the care and love that has gone into this production. It’s also hard to imagine how it can ever have been staged better in the past. This powerful version directed by Jordan Fein is a theatrical masterclass in storytelling and beautiful staging.
The show is set in 1905 in the quaint village of Anatevka, where we meet Tevye, a Jewish milkman dedicated to upholding his proud traditions. However, as his five daughters begin to challenge their father's beliefs with their own desires for love and independence, Tevye faces a powerful dilemma. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, can he hold on to his roots, or will he bend to the will of his children and learn to embrace the unfamiliar.
Matthew Woodyatt steps into the famous role and gives a sensational leading performance. He instantly commands and draws your attention. You are compelled to watch his every movement and his every emotion. Woodyatt is so warm that you can’t help but feel every bit of the characters journey especially as his every value is tested. He does a superb job of breaking the fourth wall and directly talking to the audience, sprinkling plenty of humour into his delivery. Woodyatt also a booming voice which stuns throughout the musical score.
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| Matthew Woodyatt (Tevye). Photo by Johan Persson. |
The five daughters are so well brought to life. Natasha Jules Bernard is a wonderful Tzeitel matching brilliantly to Dan Wolff’s Motel, understudy Ashleigh Schuman brings so much warmth to Hodel who again pairs well with Greg Bernstein as Perchik. Hannah Bristow is a fantastic Chava and builds the relationship with Gregor Milne’s Fyedka brilliantly, this leads really emotional moments in the second half especially as Bristow herself joins the fiddler for some musical accompaniment. Carys McQueen (Bielke) and Maya Kristal Tenenbaum (Mirila) add more to the family dynamic that is so well acted.
It’s hard to really single any one out from the ensemble, every single person on the stage is magnificent. Be it the incredible dance sequences, choreographed by Julia Cheng or the gorgeous wedding scene - the bottle dance sequence is iconic and totally nailed by the 5 male cast members involved. Beverley Klein is a delight to watch as Yente, the matchmaker whilst Michael S. Siegel is a sublime Lazar Wolf.
What of the fabled Fiddler? Raphael Papo is a fabulous piece of casting. He brings great charm and warmth to the role, and he is an outstanding musician.
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| The London company. Photo by Marc Brenner |
When it’s not the music or the performances that blow you away then you have the award winning design by Tom Scutt. The use of the raising ‘roof’ adds a real layer of atmosphere especially paired with Aideen Malone’s lighting. The lighting punches through feeling, aiding the powerful emotions of the piece. The sound team also do a superb job with the vast space of Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall.
Fiddler on the Roof is rightly labelled as one of the greats and this production is also on the level. It’s staggeringly good. I lapped up every single second, drawn in by the performances and the score. You truly leave being blown away with everything you have just watched.
This moving, touching exploration of love, family, belief against a changing backdrop of the world is timely and is a beautiful celebration of life. This production is a total masterpiece. If you see one show this year then make it this one. Throw every positive synonym at this production. It’s phenomenal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiddler on the Roof plays at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall until Saturday 23rd August 2025. Tickets are available from https://trch.co.uk/
The tour continues through until Saturday 3rd January 2026. For tour dates and venues visit https://fiddlerontheroofuk.com/
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