REVIEW - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF | LIVERPOOL EMPIRE | 24/09/2025

SUNRISE, SUNSET, AND A STANDING OVATION – FIDDLER ON THE ROOF SHINES BRIGHT

First performed on Broadway in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof remains one of the world’s most beloved musicals, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein. Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, it tells the story of Tevye the dairyman and his struggle to uphold Jewish traditions while navigating change in a small shtetl in Imperial Russia. This latest UK touring production, directed by Jordan Fein, brings a bold new staging of this classic, balancing the warmth of community with the looming threat of persecution.

At its heart, Fiddler on the Roof is a family story. Tevye, played here with warmth and charisma, tries to marry off his five daughters while keeping to the old ways. Yet love keeps interfering with tradition. Each daughter pushes boundaries in her own way, forcing Tevye to bend—sometimes further than he’d like. Through moments of joy, heartbreak, and humour, the show captures the timeless tension between faith, love, and change. Though rooted in 1905, its themes of displacement and resilience feel as urgent as ever.

Tom Scutt’s set design immediately immerses the audience in the Ukrainian countryside. The opening image of the fiddler perched on the roof is simple yet striking, and the moving cornfields cleverly transform into Tevye’s world. Aideen Malone’s lighting and Nick Lidster’s sound design heighten the mood—sometimes warm and inviting, other times ominous and tense. The costumes by Lucy Martin are detailed and authentic, grounding the story in its period. Musically, Jerry Bock’s score is brought vividly to life by the live orchestra, tucked into the stage design like part of the village itself. From the haunting strains of the fiddle to full-ensemble showstoppers, the sound is rich and atmospheric.

Matthew Woodyatt delivers a heartfelt Tevye, blending humour, pathos, and a strong vocal performance. His “If I Were a Rich Man” earned rapturous applause, perfectly capturing the character’s weary dreams. Jodie Jacobs is equally strong as Golde, playing her with wit, warmth, and just the right amount of exasperation. Beverley Klein is a delight as Yente, the meddling matchmaker, bringing comic timing to every appearance. Tevye’s daughters—Natasha Jules Bernard (Tzeitel), Hannah Bristow (Chava), and Georgia Bruce (Hodel)—shine as a believable, tight-knit family, each with distinct personalities that drive the story forward. Raphael Papo’s ever-present fiddler threads the action together beautifully, while Julia Cheng’s choreography keeps the energy high, particularly in the joyful wedding and bottle dance sequences.

This production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Liverpool Empire offers a fresh yet faithful take on a classic musical. The mix of heartfelt performances, striking design, and soaring music ensures that the show resonates as strongly today as it did six decades ago. While the pacing of the second act felt a little quick compared to the richly layered first, the emotional impact remained powerful, and the final scenes were deeply moving.

A show that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe shed a tear, this Fiddler is a reminder that tradition can bend—but never break completely.

Fiddler on the Roof is at Liverpool Empire until Saturday 27th September 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Marc Brenner