We round up the reviews for Jordan Fein’s production, playing at the theatre until the 21st September.
WhatsOnStage: ***** “At the heart of all this is the quiet underplaying and resonant voice of Dannheisser, who turns Tevye not into a Topol-style caricature but into a wry, ironic man, buffeted by events he cannot control, yet always finding it possible to assert love. He is matched by Laura Pulver’s Golde, full of emotion she doesn’t often express, but finding tenderness in gesture and stillness.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “Overall, this production is a reimagined version of such a classic show that can be enjoyed by such a varied audience. The themes are still so recognised in today’s climate and so it is an emotive reminder of how to look at the positives and strive for change.”
The Stage: ***** “Jordan Fein’s revival is a triumph of truth.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Any matchmaker would be delighted with this pairing of Fiddler on the Roof with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Any lover of musical theatre will undoubtedly be entranced by this production’s delicate balance of joy and sadness.”
London Theatre1: **** “The rather sanitised narrative extends to some old school musical theatre song and dance, where the storyline’s progression is set aside in the name of some brisk and delightful choreography (Julia Cheng). It’s appealing, it’s enjoyable, and in the context of wedding celebrations, entirely justified. There’s a tender moment, in ‘Do You Love Me?’, in which Pulver’s Golde and Dannheisser’s Teyve harmonise so wonderfully in lyrics that capture both the stresses and delights of a relationship that has lasted decades.”
The Telegraph: ***** “This triumphant revival of the classic musical at Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre is a masterclass in balancing innovation with tradition.”
Time Out: **** “Ravishing design and low key reinvention power this superb and subtly haunting outdoor take on the classic musical.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “Fein sensibly avoids gimmicks and allows the musical to say what it has always said: prejudice and a sense that people are ‘other’ will inevitably provoke violence and the displacement of innocent people. In this way, this wonderfully immersive Fiddler is more relevant than ever.”
Theatre Weekly: ***”Most importantly, this Fiddler on the Roof remains relevant. It explores universal themes of love, religion, tradition, faithfulness to beliefs, and family, while presenting a poignant portrayal of displacement, prejudice, and belonging — issues painfully relevant in today’s political landscape in the UK. As Tevye says, “Some things will never change.” By addressing these enduring themes, the production not only honours the original work but also resonates deeply with contemporary audiences.”
Broadway World: ***** “The production embraces Jewish representation and celebrates their religious rituals with refreshing openness. From Tevye’s personal relationship with God to the customs of his culture, there’s pride in Fein’s take. He imbues it with tradition, lifting the narrative to a universal story of love and sacrifice; the outdated strands of ideas end up cementing an emotive snapshot of a past that’s ruthlessly and constantly repeating somewhere. Charming, heart-rending, and utterly gorgeous, this is the revival of Fiddler.”
iNews: **** ” Jordan Fein’s assured production bears all the hallmarks of a venue that knows precisely what it is doing with this genre.”
The Upcoming: **** “The staging designed by Tom Scutt is more traditional than not. With the odd exception, such as plastic chairs, most of the props and costumes are wonderfully evocative of the general place and time of the setting, as is the astounding choreography by Julia Chang. With boundless energy, all the dance routines are endlessly entertaining both to see and to hear. The Fiddler’s (Raphael Papo) omnipresence, too, is brilliantly done, giving him a bit of an otherworldly aura as he participates in all scenes.”
To book tickets visit: https://openairtheatre.com/production/fiddler-on-the-roof