Fiddler On The Roof - Palace Theatre - 11/03/08 by Kashif Naveed

I have always been of the opinion that the classic "Fiddler on the Roof" would make a wonderful Bollywood-esque version. I know dear readers you think I have taken leave of my senses and that just because Fiddler on the Roof is a musical that it would translate just as well in the overdramatic of genre that is Bollywood.

However, it has all the elements that makes Bollywood so popular (well in Bollywood anyway). Themes such as good, evil, love, religion, traditions, family played by patriarches, matriarches, idealistic heroes and heroines, girls and boys with a splash of colour, dance, songs and a few fights, along the way. Perhaps I exaggerate but all those themes are what makes Fiddler such a popular musical and although there was no Bollywood themes involved I had to make do with Joe McGann in the lead role at the Palace Theatre.

For those that are unfamiliar with Fiddler, it began life back in the swinging sixties when composer Jerry Bock, lyrcist Sheldon Harnick and librettist Joseph Stein put Aholem Aleichem’s stories to music, and the rest they say is history. Revolving around a Jewish family in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, the main focus is Tevye and his five daughters (that’s right, five daughters) as he battles with modernity, religion, family and community.

Given the importance of the character’s role within the whole of the production it is important that whoever plays the part is able to put in a domineering performance. Indeed, it is crucial as the success and failure of the show depends upon it. Therfore it is of no surprise that those associated with the part have become not only synonymous with the role but played their part in its success.

The original Tevye was played by Zero Mostel on Broadway and one that garnered the production a prestigious Tony for Best Musical. Chaim Topol played the affable milkman in the West End as well as the film version that was nominated for an Oscar in 1971. There have been four revivals since then and continues to grow in popularity.

The prospect facing Joe McGann therefore was quite daunting. McGann is one those familiar faces on television that has been in numerous well know series and is generally well-known He has also am extensive repertoire of working on musicals such as Blood Brothers, Guys and Dolls and Oliver! Add to this that his father-in-law – Geoff Locise – was in the original West End production he was in good shape to follow such illustrious footsteps as Mostel and Topol..

Nonetheless, McGann fails to hit the heights you’d expect given such a background. The surprising thing is that it is not bad. It just is neither. It lacks the vivacity and verve you would expect from the character of Tevye. It is in essence a controlled almost clinical portrayal that lacks the charm of those that have portrayed Tevye before him. His performance is not without merit with the comedic elements being executed almost perfectly. I just wish he’d let himself go a little and really throw himself into the part of Tevye.

As for the production itself, it is the standard you’d expect from such an illustrious company. It is well directed, the set is well designed and the choreography is well rehearsed. Yet, the potential could have been so much more.