|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 2:36:21 GMT
starring Omid Djalili and Tracy-Ann Oberman
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 6:05:33 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing.
|
|
213 posts
|
Post by frankubelik on Feb 16, 2017 6:36:19 GMT
Agreed. Last revival was (via Sheffield) only 7 years ago. Do we really need Caroline too? Very poor choices to start his season. First time in over fifteen years that I will not be going to Chichester.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 6:55:56 GMT
the (very good) uk tour was even more recent. I like the show but I agree, dont think ill be going to Chichester this year
|
|
1,723 posts
|
Post by stevejohnson678 on Feb 16, 2017 8:24:30 GMT
There's also a production of Fiddler on the Roof, from 17th February until 11th March, as part of the Liverpool Everyman's new season. It's the first production for the Everyman's new rep company.
|
|
4,458 posts
|
Post by poster J on Feb 16, 2017 8:30:22 GMT
I don't mind the show (though it is too long) - the semi-staged version at the Proms a couple of years ago was good.
But not a fan of the casting here, so I doubt I'll be bothering. Disappointing Chichester season, but at least I'll save some money!
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Feb 16, 2017 8:30:26 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing.
Fiddler is dated? A show about community and bigotry and turning people into refugees could hardly be more topical.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:35:45 GMT
Do we NEED Caroline? Do we NEED Fiddler? Do we NEED Lear? Do we NEED theatre? Out of curiosity, what shows do people consider to be absolute necessities of life? Not shows you think are great and important and deserve to be seen by loads of people, but shows we NEED. 'Cos I'd argue there is no single show that anyone NEEDS. I'd even argue that theatre itself is of limited NEED (clearly many of us here wouldn't know what to do with ourselves if we didn't have it, but equally clearly large swathes of the population manage to live fulfilling lives without knowing which way up a proscenium goes). I don't get this idea that there has to be a NEED for a show. mallardo does make an excellent point about the continued relevance of Fiddler, especially as anti-semitism is making itself all too frequent these days. And let's not forget the excellent point someone else made the other day that Chichester is scheduling for *Chichester*. Sure, they want people to come and visit from outside Chichester, but it's still a regional theatre that has a region to serve, regardless of what London thinks or other regions are doing.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:36:15 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing.
Fiddler is dated? A show about community and bigotry and turning people into refugees could hardly be more topical.
Completely agree about Fiddler being topical. Great score too. Not every musical done at Chichester has to transfer either. Daniel has a track record of reviving older musicals to great critical success.....My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Show Boat. Excited!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:39:03 GMT
Fiddler is both topical and a classic musical. And as mentioned above, the regions are programming for THEIR audiences. Yes it's lovely when somewhere has a success that goes on and tours/does a London run, but ultimately the bread and butter of the programme is to serve the audience there. So if the powers that be reasonably think their audiences want a Fiddler revival, and I can see how that would appeal to their demographic, then it's not for 'London' to judge...
|
|
185 posts
|
Post by boybooshka on Feb 16, 2017 8:48:36 GMT
Brilliantly said Baemax. I do sometimes wonder why some of the people on here belong to a theatre forum when they seem to take every production announcement as a personal affront to them.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:51:23 GMT
Also, Fiddler is a GREAT show. The songs, the characters, the story, the refusal to shy away from grimness, the celebration of the community, THAT EFFING RIDICULOUS DREAM SEQUENCE. Good for you if you're bored of it, but that doesn't make it any less timelessly excellent.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2017 8:56:20 GMT
Yes, Fiddler is a great classic show. However, it is not one of my favourites, and like most classic shows I have seen it umpteen times and would have preferred something that isn't revived quite as often.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 8:57:06 GMT
Also why are we assuming everyone has seen Fiddler? I haven't, and I'm a regular theatre goer/musicals lover. So I bet there's plenty more casual theatre goers who have never seen it and are curious. And good for them, they'll get what will probably be an excellent production of a classic musical.
I'm all for new work, but I'm also all for revivals of classics that are classics for a reason.
And I quite like Omid Djalli.
|
|
1,936 posts
|
Post by wickedgrin on Feb 16, 2017 9:02:30 GMT
Oh, absolutely emicardiff, theatre is totally subjective and it's great that classic shows are revived for new generations. For me, however, being somewhat "cough" older, I remember seeing Topol on stage!!
|
|
35 posts
|
Post by herrstiefel on Feb 16, 2017 9:20:04 GMT
Also why are we assuming everyone has seen Fiddler? I haven't, and I'm a regular theatre goer/musicals lover. So I bet there's plenty more casual theatre goers who have never seen it and are curious. And good for them, they'll get what will probably be an excellent production of a classic musical. I'm all for new work, but I'm also all for revivals of classics that are classics for a reason. And I quite like Omid Djalli. Well, when I was talking to my students only 20% of them knew about the show, compared to 90% who had seen the whole "Highschool Musical"-Trilogy. So maybe it's a good thing there's a new production every now and then to expose them to a bit of classic musical theatre. Especially a once groundbreaking show like "Fiddler".
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 9:22:36 GMT
I'm up for Fidler though I thought the main character was Jewish? Just looked on the lead guys wiki and he ain't? I thought that sort of thing was frowned upon these days?
Anywho for those moaning they won't be treking to Chi this years programming is 17,000 times more exciting and interesting than last years so I have no idea what planet ur on!
|
|
35 posts
|
Post by herrstiefel on Feb 16, 2017 9:29:06 GMT
Alfred Molina also caused some controversy when he was cast as Tevye in NYC a few years back. But with everyone cheering about colourblind or diverse casting these days (looking at you Hamilton) why do we still have to frown upon non-jewish actors playing Tevye?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 9:31:58 GMT
But with everyone cheering about colourblind or diverse casting these days (looking at you Hamilton) why do we still have to frown upon non-jewish actors playing Tevye? Ooooooo controversy, I love it!
|
|
5,299 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 16, 2017 9:34:57 GMT
Really underwhelmed by this.
They have the resources to revive a show that's not revived every year.. and they chose this.
Plus the casting of Djalili puts me right off. Horrible man. That's some money saved this year then!
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Feb 16, 2017 9:36:55 GMT
I'm up for Fidler though I thought the main character was Jewish? Just looked on the lead guys wiki and he ain't? I thought that sort of thing was frowned upon these days?
It was an issue in New York back in 2004 in the David Leveaux production when Alfred Molina played Tevye. I saw it and thought Molina was excellent but there was certainly a lot of muttering about it - and about Leveaux's not-quite-so-ethnic staging.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2017 9:38:41 GMT
Like Tracy but don't like Omid
|
|
3,057 posts
|
Post by ali973 on Feb 16, 2017 9:54:40 GMT
Alfred Molina also caused some controversy when he was cast as Tevye in NYC a few years back. But with everyone cheering about colourblind or diverse casting these days (looking at you Hamilton) why do we still have to frown upon non-jewish actors playing Tevye? Reminds me of the Forbidden Broadway classic, Fiddler With New Jew!
|
|
35 posts
|
Post by herrstiefel on Feb 16, 2017 10:36:18 GMT
I'm up for Fidler though I thought the main character was Jewish? Just looked on the lead guys wiki and he ain't? I thought that sort of thing was frowned upon these days?
It was an issue in New York back in 2004 in the David Leveaux production when Alfred Molina played Tevye. I saw it and thought Molina was excellent but there was certainly a lot of muttering about it - and about Leveaux's not-quite-so-ethnic staging.
I also enjoyed Molina's portrayal. Definitely better casting than his replacement Harvey Fierstein. Also a brilliant actor but totally miscast as Tevye.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Snow on Feb 16, 2017 10:38:50 GMT
Do we NEED Caroline? Do we NEED Fiddler? Do we NEED Lear? Do we NEED theatre? Out of curiosity, what shows do people consider to be absolute necessities of life? Not shows you think are great and important and deserve to be seen by loads of people, but shows we NEED. 'Cos I'd argue there is no single show that anyone NEEDS. I'd even argue that theatre itself is of limited NEED (clearly many of us here wouldn't know what to do with ourselves if we didn't have it, but equally clearly large swathes of the population manage to live fulfilling lives without knowing which way up a proscenium goes). I don't get this idea that there has to be a NEED for a show. mallardo does make an excellent point about the continued relevance of Fiddler, especially as anti-semitism is making itself all too frequent these days. And let's not forget the excellent point someone else made the other day that Chichester is scheduling for *Chichester*. Sure, they want people to come and visit from outside Chichester, but it's still a regional theatre that has a region to serve, regardless of what London thinks or other regions are doing. It's not which shows...it's theatre, it's life, it's culture. They are basic needs. When society breaks down e.g. Syria and life is solely about finding food and surving art is still essential. Can you imagine the relief, how human you would feel when you escape from barbarism and together with others you listen ot a story being told? Essential and its a TRADITION. I think this is the point that EVERY modern Opera procution is not so subtly making. We are never far from the machine gun and the breakdown of our safe life and if nothing else the memory of Theatre can help us get through and long for better days. Fiddler shows such times and how we continue to stuggle on...Essential viewing. I hope its a great production and I get to see it.
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 10:56:03 GMT
Don't like him, don't like the show. Dated and depressing.
Fiddler is dated? A show about community and bigotry and turning people into refugees could hardly be more topical.
mallardo does make an excellent point about the continued relevance of Fiddler, especially as anti-semitism is making itself all too frequent these days. So put on Parade instead. Same themes, done better (IMHO) and not the same old same old.
|
|
2,452 posts
|
Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 10:58:41 GMT
I love Omid Djalili. He's not Jewish but he certainly acts a good Jew, and has more than enough knowledge of Judaism to carry it off. If Bryn Terfyl can... Love Tracy Ann Oberman (once met her when I was a child, she could not have been more lovely). This show is absolutely ingrained into my being - by no means do you have to be Jewish to enjoy/appreciate Fiddler, but my goodness it helps!
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. 'Same old, same old' indeed. And to some (not to me), the remarks could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about?
I don't think it's a case of 'just put on Parade' instead. They aren't *really* about the same themes (unless you think that just being 'Jewish' is a theme?), and, again, it's a little ignorant to suggest so. As has been brought up a few times already, the audiences of Chichester will most likely be rather enticed by a production of Fiddler. Maybe not so much by a production of Parade.
Just because *you* don't like it, no one else is allowed a production of it?
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 10:59:27 GMT
Also why are we assuming everyone has seen Fiddler? I haven't, and I'm a regular theatre goer/musicals lover. So I bet there's plenty more casual theatre goers who have never seen it and are curious. And good for them, they'll get what will probably be an excellent production of a classic musical. I'm all for new work, but I'm also all for revivals of classics that are classics for a reason. And I quite like Omid Djalli. I hadn't until that recent tour. Now I wish I still hadn't!
|
|
18,857 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 16, 2017 11:02:34 GMT
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. and to some (not to me), it could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about? I can't wait to see it. Whoa just a minute. You're confusing my personal enjoyment of something with my opinions on ethnic cleansing. Let's not do that eh? See my comment above, there are other shows that entertain and inform on this sort of subject without reviving Fiddler every couple of years.
|
|
2,452 posts
|
Post by theatremadness on Feb 16, 2017 11:08:34 GMT
To call the show dated and depressing is quite ignorant in my opinion. Long? Maybe. Depressing? There are incredibly funny moments in Fiddler, but I'm sorry the history of an entire people is too depressing for you. Let's hope something like that never happens again, eh? And dated?! Well that just undermines the show, the message, the hardships, the harsh realities of Russia in the 1900's and the harsh realities of the world in 2017. and to some (not to me), it could seem a little offensive. Would you rather it was all just forgotten about? I can't wait to see it. Whoa just a minute. You're confusing my personal enjoyment of something with my opinions on ethnic cleansing. Let's not do that eh? See my comment above, there are other shows that entertain and inform on this sort of subject without reviving Fiddler every couple of years. That's fair enough - you said you personally didn't like it, fine, but the comment following, in my opinion, was quite generalizing and dismissive and was detached from your comment about not enjoying it. So I responded to it as it's quite important to me. I absolutely exaggerated to make a point, but I just feel that maybe if your views aren't reflected by everyone, there's a nicer way to word things without making flippant remarks about the subject matter. But I hear you loud and clear. But it's still a production for those who live in Chichester who may never have seen Fiddler, or have not seen any of the previous revivals, or not seen it for a very long time. If it's a *bad* production (which obviously remains to be seen) then that's one thing, but staging it in the Minerva suggests the show has not been programmed for a mass commercial audience, many of whom come from London.
|
|