Fiddler on the Roof - Regents Park OAT

[matty]

Enjoyed this this evening, although wasn't a massive fan of the various British accents that came through.

The OAT seemed a lot more disorganised than usual (or the audience was). Still a lot of people filling in at 7.45 and then the toilet queues at the interval meant the break lasted 25 minutes.

Not my favourite shows I've seen at the OAT, but still a good night out.

[avfan]

Loved this tonight. Yea the Acts are completely uneven musically but the performances across the board are fantastic. I loved the design and the direction. This may be the best show I’ve seen at Regents Park.

[shownut]

Was there last night and had a lot of love for it. Not everything worked, but, as someone who didn't like the Menier production which (imoho) was dull and slow-paced, this production had energy, a stellar cast and imagination.

4 stars from me.

[d'James]

Hello. Saw this last week. Loved it. Which Cast Recording/Soundtrack would everyone recommend? Which best represents the show currently playing?

[Someone in a tree]

Aug 21, 2024 20:48:23 GMT d'James said:

Hello. Saw this last week. Loved it. Which Cast Recording/Soundtrack would everyone recommend? Which best represents the show currently playing?

Below is my current favourite.

I also like the recording with Henry Goodman and Beverley Klein. It is incomplete, However both voices are full of full of character and Klein has now graduated to Matchmaker in the OAT production.

[Oleanna]

My vote is usually for the original London cast recording.

It captures perfectly what the show is and it’s got Topol.

Enjoy the original motion picture soundtrack for John Williams’s (oscar winning) arrangements and orchestrations.

[pws]

Loved this last night. The rain held off, just, the theatre was packed and there were some good performances from a huge cast.
The fiddler was amazing...

[interval99]

Very powerful show, as board member Steve noted the setting works to really enchance the show with the wheat field based set perfectly placed against the trees and the change from early evening light to darkness of night over a evening adding to ominous oncoming fate. A dry but breezy night when I saw it even gave extra menace with the rustle of the trees adding to the sense of dread. And full credit to the lighting and effects people who added so much to the impact especially end of act one.

The sound was superb both orchestra and cast and the opening number was a choral treat. Full credit to the cast who each had very individual charaters but then made it fully believable they were a united group in their beliefs. The energetic dancing just added to stunning vocal, physical and emotional performances.

With the knowledge of the still current and ongoing persecution of Jewish communities it was a sobering and thought provoking evening.

Yes it's a pity act two doesn't have quite the showstoppers songs act one has and the daughter suddenly playing the clarinet (may be another instrument) did not work for me as it broke the power of her performance for me but a 60 year old show being this powerful and sadly so very much still valid, performed and staged so well made a very strong evening and one well worth risking the weather to see.

[141920grm]

does the stage smoke have an actual pungent smell like burning? sat lower stalls tonight and maybe it was something else that had floated over, but it smelt so unpleasant I couldn’t stay in the amphitheatre area lol

[theatrefan77]

Didn't notice anything the day I went

[ceebee]

Aug 26, 2024 23:46:01 GMT 141920grm said:

does the stage smoke have an actual pungent smell like burning? sat lower stalls tonight and maybe it was something else that had floated over, but it smelt so unpleasant I couldn’t stay in the amphitheatre area lol

Yes, it does.  I found it a great sensory experience.

[showtoones]

Is this likely to transfer?

[Jon]

Aug 27, 2024 17:56:54 GMT showtoones said:

Is this likely to transfer?

I'd guess no simply because of theatre availability. It'd need a biggish theatre and none are available at the moment.

[Phantom of London]

I saw this last week and say there is nothing like an Open Air production when it is dry, warm and sold out - even when the production itself is mediocre and let’s cut to the chase there was poor direction choices made here and the staging didn’t do the shows any favours, as the cornfield ceiling made the production feel claustrophobic and compressed and squeezed the life out of the production. Where a great joy of an Open Air production is when the staging uses that amazing backdrop of trees and sky incorporated.

The show itself has some of the greatest songs written in musical theatre, which are the gold standard. Yes there were enjoyable parts to this production - but I have seen better productions in the Menier and Chichester, also both productions I saw in New York.

3 stars.

[Phantom of London]

Aug 27, 2024 18:00:18 GMT Jon said:

Aug 27, 2024 17:56:54 GMT showtoones said:

Is this likely to transfer?

I'd guess no simply because of theatre availability. It'd need a biggish theatre and none are available at the moment.

I would of thought this may come back to the Open Air next year.

However a few years back the Open Air did a five star production of Sound of Music, which opened and closed in the park.

[Being Alive]

This was Tim Sheaders final piece of programming.
Drew won't bring this back as he'll want a full season of his own programming next year.

[ladidah]

Does this show ever go on Rush?

[ceebee]

Aug 28, 2024 7:17:44 GMT ladidah said:

Does this show ever go on Rush?

Yes, Today Tix at 10.00am each day.  There are four tickets.

[141920grm]

Got house right end of row I on rush once, would *not* recommend as it's the exact height of the stage right horizontal row of lights that will blind you/give you astigmatism if you didn't have it already

[ladidah]

As there were so few, I wasn't lucky this time

[ceebee]

Aug 28, 2024 9:14:58 GMT 141920grm said:

Got house right end of row I on rush once, would *not* recommend as it's the exact height of the stage right horizontal row of lights that will blind you/give you astigmatism if you didn't have it already

Yeah, I sat in row J and had the same problem with those lights - left with a blinding headache, but thoroughly enjoyed the show.

[zahidf]

I thought this was great, always a good place to watch a good show.

[distantcousin]

Seeing this tonight, but was NOT expecting it to be this cold of an evening! (The perils of extending their shows to September!)

Am wearing layers, bringing a blanket and a flask of something hot! GAWD!

[ladidah]

Still having no luck this month on Rush, must only be a few on offer.

[blamerobots]

Did also try this morning and wasn't lucky. I think there's only a few seats on rush, will just have to try and get a seat other way.