Fiddler OnThe Roof - March 2006
Director & Musical Director; Jamie Fraser
Choreographer: Sonia Manning
Fiddler On The Roof was our most successful ever at the box office.
The performances from Wednesday to Saturday were virtual sell-outs and the Saturday Matinee was over 80% sold. As usual our first night performance on the Monday was given as a charity evening with a party of 150 Senior Citizens being brought to the show by the Kingsbridge Round Table. They were joined by a party of 50 from the local branch of MENCAP.
Iain Douglas, Regional Representative for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) wrote the following review, which will appear in the next issue of the South West Area NODA Magazine.
“In the last few years since moving out into the sticks of Malborough Village Hall, and since acquiring the talents of Jamie Fraser as Director and MD, the society, which always had a good standard, has gone from strength to strength. Jamie played Motel in the original London production of “Fiddler” so the society had an insight with the staging of this show, into what went into that original production. This was the best production I have seen here, and I think just about the best amateur version of this show I have seen with respect to the portrayal of the traditions, and Jewish Life. The Sabbath Prayer was outstanding, and the entire wedding scene (Finale Act 1) was simply superb. In fact that scene would not be bettered even in the best professional production and stuck in my memory for days afterwards. The friendly noisy rabble of the wedding, nothing stilted here, the huge amount of props (tables loaded with food and gifts) which meant that the destruction of the wedding by the Russians was simply incredible. The stage was piled high with rubble. It was blood curdling stuff that took the props team the entire interval to clear away. As usual the scenery was very well planned and very effective, the large orchestra (11 players) was of the highest professional quality. In addition, the props were excellent and costumes (Homburgs and Own resources) very good indeed. The entire cast was very strong, so no names mentioned apart from David Stone who played a tour de force as Tevye and Maggie Kirk who was one of the best Golde’s I have seen. I can think of nothing to criticise here, and would have gladly sat through it all again that evening, given the chance. Bravo ! “
Gerry Branton the South West Area Councillor for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association came to see the show and sent the following comments:
“Please convey my heartiest congratulations to your Production team, Principals and Cast and your Backstage crew who all worked their socks off to produce such a splendid show. It was patently obvious a great deal of research had been made into the traditions and mores of the peoples who inhabited that stricken area at that time and it surely paid dividends. Your sets were superb and scene changing appeared effortless; I particularly liked the “stable” for Tevye’s cart which was able to be pre-loaded – nice touch! Costumes were suitably drab, well worn and complemented by suitable footwear and effective wigs and beards. Your Principals were well cast and, headed by an impressive Tevye and his Golde, ensured the family relationships were always evident – most when Hodel and Chava left home. The daughters, suitors, villagers and others all brought their individuality and support to make this production the success it was. The direction and choreography was effective and impressive, considering the facilities you have, and along with direction of the fine orchestra, produced some of the finest choral singing, such as in “Sabbath Prayer” which for me was a highlight.”
In a letter to the Kingsbridge Gazette the Town Mayor, Councillor Bob Freeman said:
“The Kingsbridge Amateur Theatrical Society was kind enough to invite my wife and I to its production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, staged at Malborough last week.
I feel I must write to say how much we enjoyed the show.
The acting, directing and the music were all of a magnificent standard, worthy of a West End production.
We really are very lucky to have such a wealth of talent in the town and surrounding villages and the commitment and dedication of all those taking part is truly remarkable.
I will no longer be mayor next year so I will be booking early to get a good seat at the society’s next production. I would urge all theatre lovers to do likewise.”
Also in the Gazette Margaret Ellis of West Alvington wrote:
“What a wealth of talent we have in our area. I have just returned from Malborough Village Hall after having sat through one of the best performances I have seen KATS produce – Fiddler On The Roof.
It was performed to a very high standard, the orchestra was excellent, and this was obvious from the audience response.
Everything about the show was excellent.
Thank you to everyone on stage, behind the scenes, the stage crew/wardrobe assistants and, of course, not forgetting the people at front of house.
Here’s to your next show in 2007.
Director & Musical Director; Jamie Fraser
Choreographer: Sonia Manning
Fiddler On The Roof was our most successful ever at the box office.
The performances from Wednesday to Saturday were virtual sell-outs and the Saturday Matinee was over 80% sold. As usual our first night performance on the Monday was given as a charity evening with a party of 150 Senior Citizens being brought to the show by the Kingsbridge Round Table. They were joined by a party of 50 from the local branch of MENCAP.
Iain Douglas, Regional Representative for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) wrote the following review, which will appear in the next issue of the South West Area NODA Magazine.
“In the last few years since moving out into the sticks of Malborough Village Hall, and since acquiring the talents of Jamie Fraser as Director and MD, the society, which always had a good standard, has gone from strength to strength. Jamie played Motel in the original London production of “Fiddler” so the society had an insight with the staging of this show, into what went into that original production. This was the best production I have seen here, and I think just about the best amateur version of this show I have seen with respect to the portrayal of the traditions, and Jewish Life. The Sabbath Prayer was outstanding, and the entire wedding scene (Finale Act 1) was simply superb. In fact that scene would not be bettered even in the best professional production and stuck in my memory for days afterwards. The friendly noisy rabble of the wedding, nothing stilted here, the huge amount of props (tables loaded with food and gifts) which meant that the destruction of the wedding by the Russians was simply incredible. The stage was piled high with rubble. It was blood curdling stuff that took the props team the entire interval to clear away. As usual the scenery was very well planned and very effective, the large orchestra (11 players) was of the highest professional quality. In addition, the props were excellent and costumes (Homburgs and Own resources) very good indeed. The entire cast was very strong, so no names mentioned apart from David Stone who played a tour de force as Tevye and Maggie Kirk who was one of the best Golde’s I have seen. I can think of nothing to criticise here, and would have gladly sat through it all again that evening, given the chance. Bravo ! “
Gerry Branton the South West Area Councillor for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association came to see the show and sent the following comments:
“Please convey my heartiest congratulations to your Production team, Principals and Cast and your Backstage crew who all worked their socks off to produce such a splendid show. It was patently obvious a great deal of research had been made into the traditions and mores of the peoples who inhabited that stricken area at that time and it surely paid dividends. Your sets were superb and scene changing appeared effortless; I particularly liked the “stable” for Tevye’s cart which was able to be pre-loaded – nice touch! Costumes were suitably drab, well worn and complemented by suitable footwear and effective wigs and beards. Your Principals were well cast and, headed by an impressive Tevye and his Golde, ensured the family relationships were always evident – most when Hodel and Chava left home. The daughters, suitors, villagers and others all brought their individuality and support to make this production the success it was. The direction and choreography was effective and impressive, considering the facilities you have, and along with direction of the fine orchestra, produced some of the finest choral singing, such as in “Sabbath Prayer” which for me was a highlight.”
In a letter to the Kingsbridge Gazette the Town Mayor, Councillor Bob Freeman said:
“The Kingsbridge Amateur Theatrical Society was kind enough to invite my wife and I to its production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, staged at Malborough last week.
I feel I must write to say how much we enjoyed the show.
The acting, directing and the music were all of a magnificent standard, worthy of a West End production.
We really are very lucky to have such a wealth of talent in the town and surrounding villages and the commitment and dedication of all those taking part is truly remarkable.
I will no longer be mayor next year so I will be booking early to get a good seat at the society’s next production. I would urge all theatre lovers to do likewise.”
Also in the Gazette Margaret Ellis of West Alvington wrote:
“What a wealth of talent we have in our area. I have just returned from Malborough Village Hall after having sat through one of the best performances I have seen KATS produce – Fiddler On The Roof.
It was performed to a very high standard, the orchestra was excellent, and this was obvious from the audience response.
Everything about the show was excellent.
Thank you to everyone on stage, behind the scenes, the stage crew/wardrobe assistants and, of course, not forgetting the people at front of house.
Here’s to your next show in 2007.