Review – Fiddler on the Roof – Congress Theatre, Eastbourne

From the first crystal clear notes of the violin, it’s clear this revival of Fiddler on the Roof is a show with something to say. What could so easily have been a nostalgic retread instead feels alive, immediate and deeply moving. It’s a production that honours its roots while speaking unmistakably to today. 

Directed by Jordan Fein, whose previous work has been praised for its inventiveness and clarity, this Fiddler feels grounded in tradition but never bound by it, drawing fresh vision and execution from Joseph Stein’s book, Jerry Bock’s score and Sheldon Harnick’s lyrics. 

At the centre of the tale is Matthew Woodyatt as Tevye, the philosophical milkman at odds with the changing world around him. Woodyatt delivers a finely judged performance — wry, affectionate and full of quiet strength. His comic timing is effortless and his heartbreak genuine.  

Opposite him, Beverley Klein’s performance as Golde is sheer theatrical perfection. She is no-nonsense and sharp-tongued, yet she also reveals her tenderness in the show’s later moments. The duet “Do You Love Me?”, with Tevye, becomes a moving portrait of a marriage that has weathered the years with humour and hard work. 

The set design, by Tom Scutt, does not attempt to recreate Anatevka in any way. We see crops growing in fields, but little more. Overhead, the fiddler, played at this performance by Roman Lytwyniw, watches and weaves through the action — not merely a symbol, but a living presence who binds the story together. Julia Cheng’s choreography is athletic and exuberant, filling the wide Congress Theatre stage with movement that feels organic and alive. The full company dance in the wedding sequence is exhilarating, a whirl of rhythm and movement that captures both joy and tension. 

Musically, the production shines. The orchestra plays with warmth and clarity, and the ensemble singing is consistently strong. “Tradition” bursts from the stage with confidence, while “Matchmaker” has a delightful mix of youthful optimism and mischief. Woodyatt’s rendition of “If I Were a Rich Man” is both playful and wistful, showing a man caught between dreams and duty. 

The darker moments in act two are handled with restraint and respect. The shadow of persecution and exile creeps gradually into the warmth of village life until, by the final scene, the audience feels the full weight of loss. There is a slight weakness in the pacing of the first act, which takes a little time to settle, but once the story gathers momentum, the production becomes heartfelt, humane and full of spirit. 

This Fiddler on the Roof feels quite intimate but also manages to fill the grand space with emotion and humanity. It’s a powerful reminder of why the musical endures. Its songs are unforgettable, its characters timeless, and its message about love, resilience and the struggle between old ways and new remains as relevant as ever. 

****     Four Stars