Fiddler on the Roof to be staged at Swindon Arts Centre

Ray Dance and Judith Sharp started singing together in 1984, the first venue being Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall where they were helping to raise money for a new roof.  Thirty three years later they continue to sing together in concert, cabaret and musical theatre, all with the aim of raising money for charity.

25 years ago, they decided that they would be able to raise more money by staging musicals at Swindon’s Arts Centre and this year’s production, which runs from 12-16 July will be Fiddler on the Roof, one of the most popular and successful shows in Musical Theatre history.

Fiddler tells a story which is still as relevant, politically and socially, as it was a century ago.  It focuses upon the hardship in the lives of Russian Jews who were forced from their homes in the early years of the 20th Century and the similarities with what is happening in certain parts of the world today prompted Ray and Judith to decide to donate profit from the show to The Harbour Project, which aids refugees and asylum seekers across Swindon offering friendship, advice and hope.

The show is rich with musical hits you know and love, including To Life (L’Chaim!), Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were A Rich Man, Matchmaker Matchmaker and Tradition.  It centres on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon the family's lives.  He must cope both with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters, who wish to marry for love, and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.

The production will be directed by Russell Langdown with assistance from Sandra Gilbert.  The superb musical score will be in the hands of two very accomplished local musicians, Sheila Harrod and Matthew Taylor (The Fiddler) who will capture the atmosphere and emotion of the show. The rest of the cast is comprised of talented local performers and children from The Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts.

Fiddler on the roof will be staged from 12 - 16 July at Swindon Arts Centre. Tickets are priced between £7 and £14 and can be purchased by contacting Ray or Judith on 01793 485025 or by emailing [email protected].  Performances will take place at 7.30pm from Wednesday to Saturday and at 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets are also available from the Wyvern Theatre on 01793 524481 with an additional £1 per ticket booking fee. www.swindontheatres.co.uk.