Tag Archives: Sheldon Harnick

“Fiddler on the Roof” at the Playhouse Theatre

It’s great to see the Menier Chocolate Factory back in the West End. Tickets for this revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s musical sold out quicker than a Brick Lane beigel for its home run near London Bridge, so a bigger venue means a welcome chance to see this excellent show. One word of warning, though – behave as if you were a rich man and treat yourself to a good seat.

Under Paul Bogaev’s musical direction Bock’s music sounds great, Sheldon’s lyrics are always a treat and director Trevor Nunn has a careful appreciation of Joseph Stein’s book: the structure is kept tight, the characters vivid and the jokes are great. Famously recounting the story of Jewish life in a Russian village just before the revolution, the lead role of Tevye has been career defining before and, taking the part here, Andy Nyman does not disappoint. The poverty-stricken patriarch struggles with his wife (a strong performance from Judy Kuhn) and the marriages of his three eldest daughters. Taking these roles Molly Osborne, Nicola Brown and Harriet Bunton do a fabulous job of injecting youth and energy into the show, and their opening number is a real delight. Each of the troubled romances convinces, mixing sweetness and poignancy with strong songs.

It really is worth splashing out on a posh seat, though. While Robert Jones’s set design – evoking Chagall but with a restrained colour palette appropriate to the piece’s surprisingly somber tone – deserves praise, projecting the stage into stalls causes problems. A lot of seats have been sacrificed (hence the ticket price?) but little account taken of the view from the balcony. Nunn should know better than this. Thankfully Matt Cole’s choreography, based on Jerome Robbins’ original work, is still strong enough to thrill; not just the acrobatics but the way dance is used to illustrate the close community and the struggles with modernity that it faces.

Fiddler on the Roof really fascinates. It’s funny, a simple story, well told, that feels solidly old fashioned. But, while focused on tradition, the theme of the show is actually change. New and old are both present in the 1964 piece itself. Much of the first half seems very Broadway – the format is conservative and almost predictable. But, as a concern for history takes over, the show become bravely dark. As the approaching Cossacks move from a threat to a reality, Tevye shows the limits of his own tolerance (Nyman is an excellent here). There’s a combination of pain, incomprehension and dignity in the characters and the story that the production embraces, moving us from high-class entertainment to a questioning and emotionally turbulent finale.

Until 2 November 2019

www.fiddlerwestend.com

Photo by Johan Persson

“She Loves Me” at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Here’s a real treat for loyal fans of David Babani’s London Bridge venue. The ‘musical lovers’ musical’, by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, is perfect fare for the Menier, ticking every box with gorgeous songs and great lyrics. And this fine production does the musical masterpiece full justice.

Joe Masteroff’s book is one of many adaptations of Miklós László’s play about two lonely-heart letter writers, Georg and Amalia, who are in love while unaware that they work together in a posh perfumery. It’s a delicious, fun-filled scenario, given weight by the performances of Mark Umbers and Scarlett Strallen. The couple’s delivery of each song is spot on. And each song is wonderful.

Katherine Kingsley and Dominic Tighe
Katherine Kingsley and Dominic Tighe

There’s a second love story, too: the romantic adventures of Ilona, betrayed by her colleague, the womanising Kodaly. What could be a sub plot stands proudly alongside the leads because of Katherine Kingsley and Dominic Tighe’s performances. And a third affair: the melancholy discovery of the shop’s owner, played by Les Dennis, that his wife is betraying him.

For every sentimental element in this musical, the trials of the characters make you feel this is a grown-up affair. The careful age distribution adds to the effect – Umbers does well to show us George as a middle-aged man. As with Amalia’s letters, everyone becomes a ‘dear friend’, their lives, loves and ambitions so perfectly encapsulated in the songs.

Director Matthew White does an impeccable job. Superb cameos from shop clerk Sipos (Alastair Brookshaw) and Cory English’s maître d’ show his level of attention and care. His decision to have strong British accents seems an unnecessary complication. There’s no reason for Georg and Amalia to sound like something from Brief Encounter. The only role that benefits is Ilona – turned into a northern blonde bombshell that makes Kingsley irresistible. A minor quibble for a production that deserves applause even for the set – brilliant work from Paul Farnsworth. And if some scenes seem cramped, it’s only more proof that the production deserves a bigger venue. She Loves Me is increasingly recognised as a major work. What a present a transfer of this great show would be.

Until 4 March 2017

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Photos by Alastair Muir

Norman Pace will take over from Cory English between 10 January – 6 February.

“She Loves Me” at the Landor Theatre

A favourite soundtrack, I’ve never seen performed, the stakes were high for my trip to the Landor Theatre for Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s She Loves Me. The musical lovers’ musical, it’s a piece that shows how the often-maligned genre of romantic comedy can really work. The course of love, for a shy couple who write each other anonymous lonely heart letters yet work in the same shop, runs sweet and funny, if not smooth. And the songs are to die for – a brilliant collection of stirring and amusing numbers, each of them a treasure.

She Loves Me, Landor Theatre, 4th February - 7th March 2015, courtesy Darren Bell-34
Joshua LeClair and Ian Dring

The setting is Maraczek’s perfumery and the staff all have love lives and ambitions worth a song. Emily Lynne makes an exciting London debut as Ilona, struggling with the caddish Kodlay, played super smoothly by Matthew Wellman. Ian Dring has a busy time as the store’s cuckolded owner, also stealing a scene where he doubles as a waiter. Meanwhile, Joshua LeClair’s Arpad only has eyes for the job, tackling the role with a level of perkiness that forces you to smile along.

She Loves Me, Landor Theatre, 4th February - 7th March 2015, courtesy Darren Bell-28
John Sandberg as Georg

Taking the lead role as Amalia is Charlotte Jaconelli who seems undaunted by the big shoes previous performers have left her to fill; her tremendously powerful voice is a thrill to hear. Possibly Jaconelli might have played the role with more humour – a tactic that works for Amalia’s love interest Georg, played by John Sandberg, whose affable presence is easy to warm to.

While I imagined Robert McWhir’s direction would have been speedier, the second act is faultless. Performed on piano with a couple of strings accompanying, I’d still like to hear a full orchestra perform the score but this production didn’t disappoint my high expectations. She Loves Me is quaint and comfortable, as it should be, but full of tenderness and brimming with gentle humour. As well-served customers at Maraczek’s have sung to them – thank you, thank you. And I would love to call again. Thank you.

Until 7 March 2015

www.landortheatre.co.uk

Photos by Darren Bell