The much loved Fiddler on the Roof hits the stage
View(s):By Sajani Ratnayake
A story of home. A story of love. A story not to be missed.
The Workshop Players, one of the country’s foremost English theatre groups is back, after an eight-year hi-atus. With their founder, the evergreen Jerome L. de Silva at the helm, they will present the acclaimed musi-cal ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, to bring the Russian village of Anatevka to the local stage from October 4 to 13.
In this town, tradition runs very deep, although change looms large on the horizon. When the Sunday Times caught up with the actors at rehearsal, it is clear how they have all noticed the parallels to our very own country and the society we live in. Even though vastly removed in religion, culture and landscape, there is something in how the traditional beliefs and culture shape our own families and societies that makes this story set in 1905 in a remote Russian village, relevant to a local audience.
As expected in a long run, the cast alternates on different nights and it will no doubt be a roller-coaster of emotions that these well-seasoned actors will look to carry the audience through.
Taking the lead role on certain nights, alternating with Sulakshana Dias Amaratunga, Sean Amarasekera, says Tevye is one of the most realistic characters he has ever portrayed in his acting career, a testament to the authenticity of the play. The role reminds him of his own life; he is a father of four daughters, his character is a father of five. Thus, he understands the paternal and protective instinct Tevye has, and how much this humble, Jewish milkman is willing to test the limits of tradition.
“With this play you experience comedy, pathos and emotion leaving a massive canvas for the actors to paint on,” Sean says.
It’s a “very grounded, realistic and human story,” he notes. Filled with entertainment and iconic songs that will be familiar to the audience, as Fiddler on the Roof is from the Golden Age of Broadway, the play also asks the questions of ‘how much of tradition can we hold on to, and how much can we break?’
The Workshop Players, Sean notes, are also well known for their large sets, but, this play is more about the characters and although it looks simple, it is quite challenging to execute, he feels.
Being with the Workshop Players for decades and their director of music for almost as long, Surein de S. Wijeyeratne has been there through Evita, The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver Twist, The Lion King and My Fair Lady. An obvious choice with the potential to captivate audiences, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is one of the few big musicals that they have not yet staged, he says.
“It is a story first and music second,” the latter almost incidental to the strong characters and plot, Surein feels. He says it is a ‘rare privilege’, for it is a daunting task to perform a full-length musical from beginning to end, given the many factors and challenges to consider. The company has been very fortunate to be able to do so and this motivates them to provide the best theatre experience to their audience, from the new faces in the crowd to their oldest supporters, he adds.
Choreographer Joshua Fernandez, entered the world of musical theatre bringing with him a Latin-American Ballroom dance background over the past 16 years. ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is his major debut Work-shop Players production, fulfilling his dream of working with the renowned director Jerome. He brings out how versatile the cast is, successfully implementing his vision, especially in the “Bottle Dance”; where the dancers balance bottles during their routine, an incredibly difficult task and one that is bound to leave the audience amazed.
Jemiah Sourjah, although being a part of the Workshop Players for many years, faces a new experience playing Golde, Tevye’s wife. It is the first time that she has played an older character and taken on a lead singing role, and she is working towards “conveying the story through song,” along with the rest of the cast. This story contains a “variety of emotions that the audience can be taken through”, she says. Jemiah shares the role with Inakshi de Silva.
Also taking on a lead role for the first time, Amila Gunasena resonates with his character, Motel, whose core beliefs are very centred around God. “Motel is teaching me a lot about courage in my own life,” Amila states, bringing out how this play is very authentic and will immerse the audience in a story that they will be able to relate to on a deeper level too.
Mevni Palihakkara plays one of Tevye’s five daughters, Chava, on the opening night. Taking the stage for the first time to be a part of a full-scale production, she brings out just how tight-knit the cast has become, especially the dynamic between the sisters. The similarities between the Jewish culture and our own are also worth mentioning, she says, alluding to common generational gaps faced by the youth and the adults. Con-sequently, the societal perception of women in this world and our own are very similar, making for a drama that will hit close to home.
Johann Andrew Perera is the Producer for this musical, having been involved in many of the past produc-tions of the Workshop Players. It has been an exciting experience seeing things all come together, he smiles. This is his first time being involved in a Broadway musical and working closely with Jerome, and he is eager to see the play being brought to the local stage and the response it elicits from the audience.
With its unforgettable songs, deeply human characters and poignant humour, Fiddler on the Roof beautifully explores the universal themes of faith, resilience and home. And with just a few days to go before the curtain rises, the cast, filled with new faces among the experienced actors, is brimming with excitement, hoping to fill the hall with the magic that this Broadway musical given the Workshop Players’ touch can produce.
Tickets, ranging from Rs. 6500 to 1500 (Balcony), are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
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