Photography by Ben Apfelbaum.

Currently playing at Sydney’s wonderful Capitol theatre in the Haymarket is a new revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF- music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick- set in Anatevka, in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Tsarist Russia in 1905.

The current production has been directed by the highly experienced local/Aussie director, Roger Hodgman.

My recommendation – even if you  are a veteran of FIDDLER productions, try and catch this show if you can.  The show’s big drawcard is of-course Anthony Warlow and he is simply wonderful as ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ Tevye, and  he is backed up by a simply superb cast.

Sigrid Thornton plays his wife, Goldie. As the three main daughters, Teegan Wouters plays Tzeitel, Monica Swayne  is Hodel, and Jessica Vickers plays Chava. Mark Mitchell plays the butcher Lazar Wolf, Nicki Wendt is matchmaker, Yente, and Lior plays Motel Kamzoil , the poor, hardworking tailor who loves and later marries Tzeitel.

The work of the ensemble cast is exceptional and their energy and vibrancy add a great deal to the production.

Richard Roberts set design is a treat with the use of multiple revolves, and the different  sets coming out from any of the ‘three walls’.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF remains as an intoxicating recipe as it ever was, as it brings Sholem Aleichem wonderful story Tevye and his Daughters  vibrantly to life with Jerry Bock’s  great score.