HAODS - For the best entertainment in live theatre, together with top quality drama - amdram at its best, Henley Operatic & Dramatic Society has it all. Performing at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames, NODA award winning HAODS musicals and plays are renowned for excellence.

Have you ever bought a new coat, only to leave it in the wardrobe in favour of your old, snug favourite that you have loved and trusted for years? This is the case with Raymond Burton and the part of Tevye, the Dairyman in the award winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof, because Raymond is a serial Tevye. Henley Operatic and Dramatic Society were more than delighted when Raymond accepted the role - this being the sixth time that he has played Tevye, slipping into the character like putting on an old pair of shoes. For his part, he is humbled and privileged to once again be playing the part of his old friend, Tevye.

The story, which is based on reports of real incidents at the time, centres on Tevye, the local milkman and father of five daughters, at a time of political unrest and turmoil in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century.

It chronicles his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. He must not only cope with an iron willed wife, the rebellious actions of his three older daughters-each daughter's choice of husband moving progressively further away from established customs-but also with an edict from Tsar Nicholas II that evicts the Jewish community in which he lives from their village of Anatevka. 

A strange title for a musical about Jewish pograms, you may say, but it stems from one of many surreal paintings by Marc Chagall that he created of Eastern European Jewish life, often including a Fiddler. The Fiddler being a metaphor for survival, through tradition and joyfulness, in a life of uncertainty and imbalance.

The original Broadway production of the show was the first musical to surpass the three thousand performance mark and it held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost ten years, winning nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Book, Direction and Choreography. HAODS production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley, later this month, boasts a strong cast alongside Raymond Burton, with familiar faces from many award winning shows over the last few years and with songs like If I Were A Richman and Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me A Match, it will be a superb night out for all the whole family.

Fiddler on the Roof ran from 19^th - 25^th April with evening performances at 7.45pm and a Matinee 4.00pm on Sunday 19^th April. (No evening performance on 19^th) Tickets are from £13 with concessions on some performances. Children under 16 pay only £7 for every performance.

Theatre Box office 01491 575698 from 11.00am - 5.00pm

.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment Preview