Fiddler on the Roof - Regents Park OAT

[Sean]

When are we likely to hear casting for Fiddler on the Roof?

[c4ndyc4ne]

Must be in the next week or two

[ironsilvermonkey]

Lara Pulver revealed to be playing Golde in Fiddler. Somewhat suprising announcement to me, but she's great (especially in Gypsy with Imelda) so I think this could really work. I usually imagine Golde as being played by slightly older actresses but since her marriage to Tevye was arranged with a matchmaker and the times being what they were, her being in only early middle age while their oldest daughter is about 20 years old makes sense.

chiswickcalendar.co.uk/spooks-sherlock-the-split-actor-lara-pulver-to-open-the-bedford-park-festival/

[Jon]

I think this is Lara Pulver's return to theatre since her last show was Gypsy although she did do Guys and Dolls in concert in 2018 at the RAH.

[Being Alive]

Well this is not the direction I thought we would be going, but I'm optimistic that this could actually be....good?
Lara is terrific so very interested to see where this goes.

[oxfordsimon]

Topol was 32 when he played Tevye for the first time.

Miriam Karlin, his Golde, was about 10 years older than him.

So Lara Pulver at 43 is in line with the original London casting ages.

[Jon]

May 27, 2024 13:55:58 GMT oxfordsimon said:

Topol was 32 when he played Tevye for the first time.

Miriam Karlin, his Golde, was about 10 years older than him.

So Lara Pulver at 43 is in line with the original London casting ages.

I know people look a lot younger now but Topol looks a lot older than 32 in the picture on Wikipedia from 1967!

[oxfordsimon]

There's no denying that. But put a shaggy beard on most men and they look older.

I think early 40s is probably the real world age of people like Tevye and Golde. Married in their late teens, 25 years later they are early 40s

[fiyero]

I had a spare afternoon before the ABBAversary this evening and with few options I had a look at the open air’s production of Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile on their site and the cast list convinced me to book! (I have travelled much greater distances to see Audrey Brisson). This is a kids shows so I took a brave pill and booked. Got kicked in the head before it started but a very small foot so I guess that doesn’t go on the bad behaviour thread. Talking and fidgeting was constant, but I’d put parent on the naughty step for that as the little ones don’t know better. It started raining just as the pre show started but stopped as the show proper got going (though it took some convincing from front of house to get all the umbrellas down).

It was a good fun show. The theatre was virtually sold out and they all seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. Some struggled with the length, it was about an hour. In a theatre with simpler egress I’d have been tempted to add an interval.


I don’t want to single out any of the cast but they all worked really well together and really hard. West end experience for many of them helps. I know those who act in kids shows have a hard job and are often on their way up the career ladder but this lot could hit the ground running.

I look forward to my visit to Fiddler later in the season. I joked with one of the staff that we probably wouldn’t be throwing (foam) monkey nuts at the stage at that one but who knows!

[ladidah]

I really didn't like Twelfth Night much, so really looking forward to Fiddler on the Roof.

[sophia]

Cast announced for Fiddler on the Roof: www.whatsonstage.com/news/full-cast-for-fiddler-on-the-roof-revival-revealed_1606390/

[ladidah]

After I didn't like twelfth night, hoping it's good!

[westendwhistledown]

Loved Liv Andrusier in Ride

[c4ndyc4ne]

Brilliant casting - so many great names

[kallyloo]

I got a free ticket to The Secret Garden, expecting to be a little bored, but have a lovely evening in Regent’s Park at least, and was surprised that the performance was entertaining and delightful thanks to the brilliant cast and theatre craft.
The garden blooms with the imaginative use of paper decorations and the cast inhabit animals using clothing to create a squirrel, fox, robin and crow.

I’d read the book as a child, so have fond memories, but can honestly say, it’s not just a play for children.

[theatrenerd]

Was anyone at the first preview last night for Fiddler on the Roof?

Having seen a few Instagram posts it looks like an interesting set design, but nonetheless a positive reaction.

[Dr Tom]

Is there really no separate thread for Fiddler on the Roof?

Managed to get Rush this morning (£30), which for me is side row G for anyone interested. This has sold well. I don’t think it will rain. Will report back. It will be hard to top the Andy Nyman version, but shall see.

[FJ]

I saw this last night and thought it was fine. I much preferred the production that was at The Playhouse in 2019.

The setting was very nice, and I liked the simplistic staging, which got even more atmospheric as the night went on.

It definitely felt like a preview, which I don't often say with previews. Lines being fluffed, actors racing ahead of the orchestra, set malfunctions etc. but nothing major.

I love Fiddler, and thought for the most part the cast were brilliant (one very weak link I'd say) but to me there was just something lacking in this production.

Glad I went, had a nice time, but don't need to see it again.

3 stars.

[MrBunbury]

I was there too last night and my impression was more positive than it was for FJ. There are still some things to refine but overall I found it well-done and moving, definitely a classical version (not something groundbreaking like the director's "Oklahoma"). I loved Tzeitel's wedding. Four stars for me.

[annette]

Jul 30, 2024 9:41:12 GMT MrBunbury said:

I was there too last night and my impression was more positive than it was for FJ. There are still some things to refine but overall I found it well-done and moving, definitely a classical version (not something groundbreaking like the director's "Oklahoma"). I loved Tzeitel's wedding. Four stars for me.

I am intrigued as to why there’s no cast member listed for Fruma Sarah. I’m wondering whether they’re using a puppet or something unusual. Could you do a spoiler reveal please as I’m unable to get to the show to see for myself. Thanks in advance.

[MrBunbury]

Jul 30, 2024 10:50:30 GMT annette said:

Jul 30, 2024 9:41:12 GMT MrBunbury said:

I was there too last night and my impression was more positive than it was for FJ. There are still some things to refine but overall I found it well-done and moving, definitely a classical version (not something groundbreaking like the director's "Oklahoma"). I loved Tzeitel's wedding. Four stars for me.

I am intrigued as to why there’s no cast member listed for Fruma Sarah. I’m wondering whether they’re using a puppet or something unusual. Could you do a spoiler reveal please as I’m unable to get to the show to see for myself. Thanks in advance.

One of the actresses doubles as Fruma Sarah.

[FJ]

With regards to Fruma Sarah, I could have got this wrong, but I think.. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
I think it's Tzeitel playing Fruma Sarah? She becomes FS in the dream, almost aiding in Tevye's fabrication of the dream to convince Golde to allow her to marry Motel.

And at the end of the dream she mouths 'Thank you' to Tevye, before disappearing off.

Which I actually thought was all really clever.

[MrBunbury]

Jul 30, 2024 11:22:12 GMT FJ said:

With regards to Fruma Sarah, I could have got this wrong, but I think.. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
.

Yes, I think it is right. I don't know how to put the spoiler alert so I kept it very vague :-)

[annette]

Thanks MrBunbury and FJ. For some reason I was imagining a very large, terrifying flying puppet rising up from the grave (which with the right designer could actually work well I think or maybe I’m going a bit mad from the heat today).

[annette]

Jul 30, 2024 13:52:36 GMT MrBunbury said:

Jul 30, 2024 11:22:12 GMT FJ said:

With regards to Fruma Sarah, I could have got this wrong, but I think.. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
.

Yes, I think it is right. I don't know how to put the spoiler alert so I kept it very vague :-)

I think that’s fine,I only suggested a spoiler in case the production had done something very different with the character that had a surprise element.