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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 10:56:03 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing.
Fiddler is dated? A show about community and bigotry and turning people into refugees could hardly be more topical.
mallardo does make an excellent point about the continued relevance of Fiddler, especially as anti-semitism is making itself all too frequent these days. So put on Parade instead. Same themes, done better (IMHO) and not the same old same old. |
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 10:58:41 GMT
I love Omid Djalili. He's not Jewish but he certainly acts a good Jew, and has more than enough knowledge of Judaism to carry it off. If Bryn Terfyl can...
Love Tracy Ann Oberman (once met her when I was a child, she could not have been more lovely). This show is absolutely ingrained into my being - by no means do you have to be Jewish to enjoy/appreciate Fiddler, but my goodness it helps!
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. 'Same old, same old' indeed. And to some (not to me), the remarks could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about?
I don't think it's a case of 'just put on Parade' instead. They aren't *really* about the same themes (unless you think that just being 'Jewish' is a theme?), and, again, it's a little ignorant to suggest so. As has been brought up a few times already, the audiences of Chichester will most likely be rather enticed by a production of Fiddler. Maybe not so much by a production of Parade.
Just because *you* don't like it, no one else is allowed a production of it?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 10:59:27 GMT
Also why are we assuming everyone has seen Fiddler? I haven't, and I'm a regular theatre goer/musicals lover. So I bet there's plenty more casual theatre goers who have never seen it and are curious. And good for them, they'll get what will probably be an excellent production of a classic musical. I'm all for new work, but I'm also all for revivals of classics that are classics for a reason. And I quite like Omid Djalli. I hadn't until that recent tour. Now I wish I still hadn't! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 11:02:34 GMT
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. and to some (not to me), it could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about? I can't wait to see it. Whoa just a minute. You're confusing my personal enjoyment of something with my opinions on ethnic cleansing. Let's not do that eh? See my comment above, there are other shows that entertain and inform on this sort of subject without reviving Fiddler every couple of years. |
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 11:08:34 GMT
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. and to some (not to me), it could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about? I can't wait to see it. Whoa just a minute. You're confusing my personal enjoyment of something with my opinions on ethnic cleansing. Let's not do that eh? See my comment above, there are other shows that entertain and inform on this sort of subject without reviving Fiddler every couple of years. That's fair enough - you said you personally didn't like it, fine, but the comment following, in my opinion, was quite generalizing and dismissive and was detached from your comment about not enjoying it. So I responded to it as it's quite important to me. I absolutely exaggerated to make a point, but I just feel that maybe if your views aren't reflected by everyone, there's a nicer way to word things without making flippant remarks about the subject matter. But I hear you loud and clear. But it's still a production for those who live in Chichester who may never have seen Fiddler, or have not seen any of the previous revivals, or not seen it for a very long time. If it's a *bad* production (which obviously remains to be seen) then that's one thing, but staging it in the Minerva suggests the show has not been programmed for a mass commercial audience, many of whom come from London. |
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 11:31:20 GMT
I love Omid Djalili. He's not Jewish but he certainly acts a good Jew, and has more than enough knowledge of Judaism to carry it off. He played Fagin at Drury Lane, remember, and was brilliant, by all accounts - even if Mackintosh had to tell him to quit doing bits of "Yentel" in the show. Yes indeed Monkey, he absolutely was! I remember we went on a family trip to see it (I was at school with one of the ensemble kids in the show) and at stage door afterwards he was a really, really wonderful man, too. There was a great audio clip on YouTube (not sure if it's still there) of his final performance of Pick A Pocket and one of the kids pulled out a large pair of briefs from Fagin's trousers and exclaimed "Cor, Fagin! They stink!" and Omid, as Fagin, replied "Well so would you if you spent 6 months next to my bollocks!". I believe the parents weren't all that pleased....! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 11:42:39 GMT
Looks like this is going to mark my first trip to Chichester, all being well. I've wanted to see this on Broadway but didn't get the chance. I'm sure going by their previous outputs this should be good.
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Post by synchrony on Feb 16, 2017 12:46:25 GMT
Oh, absolutely emicardiff, theatre is totally subjective and it's great that classic shows are revived for new generations. For me, however, being somewhat "cough" older, I remember seeing Topol on stage!! I saw Topol and don't consider myself old! (Although did see him in the revival in 1994 rather than the original in 1983 ;-) ). I LOVE "Fiddler on the Roof" and watched the VHS repeatedly as a teenager. |
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Post by alece10 on Feb 16, 2017 12:47:16 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing. Agree on both points |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 13:27:14 GMT
(Psst, theatremadness , it's being staged in the Festival Theatre, not the Minerva.) Cracking series of posts though, I mean I can see some similarities with Parade (mainly the anti-semitism, also a husband and wife realising how much they mean to each other), but agree with you that both shows are about much more than that so it's hardly a like-for-like suggestion for something that should've been programmed instead. Anyway! |
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Post by BGLowe on Feb 16, 2017 13:50:06 GMT
So interested in this! As a non Londoner how easy is it to get to Chichester? I normally go to London and do 2 shows in a day - would this be impossible visiting here? Apologies for my complete lack of knowledge!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 13:51:45 GMT
(Psst, theatremadness , it's being staged in the Festival Theatre, not the Minerva.) Cracking series of posts though, I mean I can see some similarities with Parade (mainly the anti-semitism, also a husband and wife realising how much they mean to each other), but agree with you that both shows are about much more than that so it's hardly a like-for-like suggestion for something that should've been programmed instead. Anyway! Indeed. If it were like for like, Parade would be called Fiddler On The Roof. Anyway!  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 13:53:21 GMT
So interested in this! As a non Londoner how easy is it to get to Chichester? I normally go to London and do 2 shows in a day - would this be impossible visiting here? Apologies for my complete lack of knowledge! Chichester is theoretically a simple enough train ride from Victoria (changing in the region of Brighton). If you're just doing a matinee at Chichester, it's usually easy enough to get back to London in the evening, but if you're doing an evening show, you do run the risk of missing the last train. I usually drive, as there is theoretically plenty of reasonably priced parking, and I have friends who take a hotel for the night, both of which are definitely less stressful for travel! |
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Post by BGLowe on Feb 16, 2017 13:58:07 GMT
So interested in this! As a non Londoner how easy is it to get to Chichester? I normally go to London and do 2 shows in a day - would this be impossible visiting here? Apologies for my complete lack of knowledge! Chichester is theoretically a simple enough train ride from Victoria (changing in the region of Brighton). If you're just doing a matinee at Chichester, it's usually easy enough to get back to London in the evening, but if you're doing an evening show, you do run the risk of missing the last train. I usually drive, as there is theoretically plenty of reasonably priced parking, and I have friends who take a hotel for the night, both of which are definitely less stressful for travel! Thanks for this - lots to think about! |
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Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 13:59:48 GMT
(Psst, theatremadness , it's being staged in the Festival Theatre, not the Minerva.) Cracking series of posts though, I mean I can see some similarities with Parade (mainly the anti-semitism, also a husband and wife realising how much they mean to each other), but agree with you that both shows are about much more than that so it's hardly a like-for-like suggestion for something that should've been programmed instead. Anyway! Ah ha! Thanks, misread whatever it is I read about it, whatever point I made about it being commercial or whatever obviously a bit invalid, but yes! Onwards |
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Post by Nelly on Feb 16, 2017 14:23:04 GMT
This is interesting! I do love me a bit of Fiddler on the Roof. Not sure how I'm feeling about Omid's casting, but I'm sure he can pull it off. Will definitely be looking at booking this.
For the record, I don't find it dated etc. I agree with the comments on it being relevant and I do love the score.
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Post by showgirl on Feb 16, 2017 14:23:52 GMT
Direct trains from Victoria twice hourly; only reason to change at Brighton is in event of disruption. However, industrial disputes with drivers & guards continue on Southern, so beware if relying on train travel.
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Post by firefingers on Feb 16, 2017 14:47:24 GMT
Guessing this is likely to be eying a limited run in the West End.
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Post by Nelly on Feb 16, 2017 14:51:25 GMT
Guessing this is likely to be eying a limited run in the West End. You'd have thought so. Always does well. The last production of it I saw was the production at the Savoy with Henry Goodman. He was fantastic. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Feb 16, 2017 15:48:19 GMT
So interested in this! As a non Londoner how easy is it to get to Chichester? I normally go to London and do 2 shows in a day - would this be impossible visiting here? Apologies for my complete lack of knowledge! Chicester itself is in a lovely area if you could make a weekend of it. I like Bosham and the Witterings and Porsmouth has much of interest too. Hotels not that cheapest though. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 16:25:28 GMT
Guessing this is likely to be eying a limited run in the West End. Will there be many theatres available though? I doubt they would want to go to a big theatre so might have to settle for more of a Playhouse? Would Omid and Tracy sell in London too? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 17:09:17 GMT
Was rather taken by Daniel Evans' Showboat, so I reckon he could work his magic with this one. Ashamed to say I don't know Fiddler, so I'll be giving this one a go in the summer.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 16, 2017 17:24:44 GMT
Awe, I have a bit of a soft spot for Fiddler and everything it stands for.
I really love Tevya and the fact, despite being a little mischevious, he has good intentions and us basically a nice guy.
The themes of Fiddler resonate with me on a personal level too with some issues I was going through many years back.
I was involved back stage in an Am Dram production back in Australia and played one of the youngest Pappa's in a semi-professional production also in Australia. Grew a beard and everything.
Oi Vie! Tradition!
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Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2017 17:48:48 GMT
Yes, Showboat was fabulous...but then it is a show that is revived a little less often than Fiddler.
There are probably about a dozen shows that are classics and box office and get revived frequently - such as The Sound of Music, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Annie, Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I. It's just that once you have seen them several (or more) times - enough is enough. Other shows are more risky box office wise, but Chichester has a strong reputation for musicals and a staunch local following. So why not revive Mame, Camelot, Anything Goes, Gigi, Brigadoon... the list goes on. Not unknown shows - I'm not saying they should do Where's Charley or High Spirits - shows no-one has ever heard of.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 18:08:12 GMT
For me no one does revivals as well as Chichester at the moment but it does seem a shame they are doing a show that has been done quite recently. Id love a Me and my girl revival at Chichester
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A show about community and bigotry and turning people into refugees could hardly be more topical.
