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BrumHour saw Fiddler on the Roof at the invite of The Alexandra.
For Brum Radio’s Interval Theatre, actors Matthew Woodyatt and Jodie Jacobs talked about their role in this huge production. Listen here:
By Dave Massey
Fiddler on the Roof at The Alexandra: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Beautifully epic”
Directed by Jordan Fein, Book by Joseph Stein, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Music by Jerry Bock
Set in the fictional Imperial Russian village of Anatevka, Tevye (Matthew Woodyatt) and Golde (Jodie Jacobs) have five daughters, and the local matchmaker, Yente (Beverley Klein), is determined to show her matchmaking skills by marrying the five daughters off, for a healthy sum of money, of course. All of this is set in early 20th-century Russia, and the Jewish community is about to be forced to leave.
Matthew Woodyatt and Jodie Jacobs are both heartbreaking as our lead actors, Tevye’s world unravels as he realises his daughters are no longer children and Golde is increasingly irritated by her husbands lone decision making. The accents are mainly the actors’ own, which makes it very “London West End” but that’s not a bad thing; it makes the performances feel more personal. Georgia Bruce presents the main rebellion as Hodel, marking the shape of things to come.
This is really an ensemble show with a large main chorus who is on stage throughout the production, almost as witnesses to the story unfolding. Instead of narrating to us, Tevye talks to God to offer his feedback, creating a narrative for us to follow.
The set is stunning, one huge suspended floor forms the “roof” that the hauntinly beautiful music of the fiddler (Roman Lytwyniw at this performance) with roof thatch placed at the sides of the stage, and the band at the rear of the stage. Far easier to hear the vocals with the music coming from the back. Costumes are also excellent, evoking a different time long gone. It’s the lighting that makes this feel the staging so special, haunting, and stark!
Many people might be taken aback by the tonal shifts in this stunning production, but it feels really epic to me, as though it could fill arenas.
Fiddler on the Roof is at The Alexandra until 3rd January 2026. Book tickets and see forthcoming productions here: atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham.
