Fiddler to raise roof with Broadway magic at Spa

Members of the Leamington and Warwick Musical Society’s production of Fiddler on the Roof - as seen here ‘on location’ at Paul Webber’s Racing Stables in Cropredy Lawn - will take the stage in April.

Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, the story centres on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives.

He must cope with both the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters – each one’s choice of husband moves further away from the customs of her faith – and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.

With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, the performance will include the well-known songs Sunrise, Sunset, Matchmaker, and the show-stopping If I Were A Rich Man.

The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, was the first ever run of a musical to surpass the 3,000 performance mark, and held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost ten years until it was overtaken by Grease. And today it remains the 14th longest-running show in Broadway history.

The Leamington and Warwick team have been working hard during the past year on their revival of the musical, following on from their successful 2009 production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Tickets, which cost £10, are now available for the show, which is on from Tuesday April 12 to Tuesday April 19 at 7.30pm each evening, with a matinee on Saturday April 16 at 2.30pm. Proceeds will go towards Cruse Bereavement Care. Call 425507 or 334418 or visit www.royalspacentre andtownhall.co.uk

The society is also looking for anyone who has been a member or associated with the group who would like to contribute photographs, memorabilia or nostalgic anecdotes towards a pictorial exhibition at its 90th anniversary concert, which will take place at Leamington town hall on Friday September 16 and Saturday September 17. Call Martin Key on 311876 or email [email protected]