Venue Cymru welcomes Fiddler on the Roof

Jul 31 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

MUCH-LOVED musical Fiddler on the Roof arrives at Venue Cymru in Llandudno next week.

Sitcom star, Joe McGann, plays the lead role of Jewish dairyman, Tevye, who dreams of riches, respect and a quiet family life.

The story tells of a Jewish village in Czarist Russia, where Tevye is doing his best to preserve tradition in the face of a changing world. But when Tevye’s daughters refuse the matchmaker’s advice and marry for love, he must choose between their happiness and his beloved traditions.

Popular songs include Tradition, Matchmaker Matchmaker, Sunrise Sunset and the irrepressible favourite If I Were a Rich Man.

Actor Joe McGann said he was already looking forward to performing in North Wales and believed the show was more than just a musical.

“I’ve never played in Llandudno but I’ve been there lots of times and I love walking around the town and Snowdonia. It is a lovely little theatre too. It should be fun and I’ve got relatives living not far away,” he said.

“The show is about a guy trying to cope with change, there is a revolution going on in Russia, it is not a froth and feathers musical but a story, it is educational and does tell a lot of truth, because this guy (Tevye) copes with all the revolution and the changes. He has some great one-liners, and a real historic sense of humour.”

Joe said the live show’s humour was its strong-point but added its length may mean while most of the family will enjoy the drama, it may be a little too long for smaller children: “The show isn’t for the very young because it can be a bit long, but my teenage nephews enjoyed it and there is nothing in it which shocks,” he said.

“If you compare it to the film then the play is much funnier, the film is sort of high on message and low on entertainment, but this is a very funny show – it has great characters and great comedy pieces, people come away thinking about things. It’ll make you laugh and make you cry, it is a proper musical which has got everything.”

Fiddler on the Roof is showing between Monday, August 4, to Saturday, August 6, at Venue Cymru. Tickets are on sale now priced between £19.50 and £29.50. For more information contact the box office on 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk

The Weekly News has two pairs of tickets to see Fiddler on the Roof at Venue Cymru. For a chance to win send your answers to the following question on a postcard including a daytime telephone number no later than Monday, August 4 to: Richard’s Fiddler on the Roof, Weekly News, Vale Road, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9SL.

Joe McGan played who in 90’s sitcom The Upper Hans? a) Charlie Brow, b) Charlie Burrows. c) Charlie Chaplin