Fiddler on the Roof has arrived at Cardiff’s New Theatre for a short run, and if the opening night is anything to go by, seats will be hard to find. Fresh from the West End, and already a multi Olivier Award winner, this production proves exactly why it caused such a stir in London.
I went in with only a passing knowledge of the music and a few stories from my husband about his school choir production. I left completely taken in. The performance ended with a standing ovation and it was well deserved. The story telling, the voices and the movement on stage came together in a way that made the night feel special.
Directed by Jordan Fein, with choreography by Julia Cheng and design by Tom Scutt, this production feels carefully shaped and full of intention. Scutt’s work recently won a 2025 Olivier Award for this very show, and it is clear why. The set and lighting help create the rhythms of life in Anatevka, the fictional village where the story unfolds.
At the centre is Matthew Woodyatt as Tevye. His mix of humour and heart anchors the entire production. Jodie Jacobs brings real warmth to Golde, and Beverley Klein is a joy as Yente. They are joined by Natasha Jules Bernard as Tzeitel, Georgia Bruce as Hodel, Hannah Bristow as Chava, Ashleigh Schuman as Shprintze and Georgia Dixon as Bielke, along with a strong supporting cast who fill the village with life.
For anyone new to the story, it is set in 1905 in Imperial Russia and follows Tevye, a Jewish milkman who tries to balance the traditions he has lived by with the rapidly changing world around him. His daughters push against the expectations placed on them, and as the pressure in the village grows, Tevye is forced to question what can change and what must stay the same. Though written many decades ago, the themes remain very real. Tradition, family, persecution and resilience are sadly still part of many lives today.
The opening scene sets the tone at once, with the fiddler perched high above the stage. It grips the audience before a single line is spoken. One of the most memorable parts of the evening was the live orchestra placed on stage throughout. Hearing the music played in front of us by flute, clarinet, trumpet, drums, violin, cello, double bass, accordion, acoustic guitar and mandolin made the atmosphere richer than any recorded backing could. Musical Director Livi van Warmelo and Sofia Tuovila deserve great credit for shaping the sound of the production. There were times when the mix of music and stage action made me want to join the cast around the table.
The story, based on the work of Sholem Aleichem, captures both the hardship and the spirit of the people of that time. It blends humour with heartbreak, and the production honours both with care.
With a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the show has been loved since it first appeared on Broadway in 1964 before reaching the West End in 1967. This new staging keeps that history alive while giving it a fresh energy.
Fiddler on the Roof is at the New Theatre in Cardiff from Tuesday 18 November to Saturday 22 November 2025. Tickets range from thirty to sixty nine pounds. A BSL interpreted performance takes place on Thursday 20 November at 7.30pm, and an audio described performance on Saturday 22 November at 2.30pm.
If you can catch it before it leaves Cardiff, you should. It is a warm, heartfelt and beautifully crafted production that stays with you long after the curtain falls.
For tickets and more information, visit the New Theatre website or the Trafalgar Tickets link: https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB/event/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets
