Fiddler on the Roof is the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman, his wife, and his daughters. One by one, Tevye’s three eldest daughters marry, moving further and further from the traditions of the family and the village community of Anatevka.

The story takes place against the backdrop of persecution of the Jewish communities by the Russian authorities and concludes with the enforced dispersal of the village and its inhabitants.

Fiddler on the Roof is based on Joseph Stein’s book with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. It premiered in New York in 1964 and was made into a film in 1971, which won three Oscars.

This production was originally staged last year at The Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park and has now begun a UK tour.

Tom Scutt’s set is brilliantly designed and the perfect backdrop for the story. Added to this is Aideen Malone’s sensitive and beautiful lighting. I especially loved the candlelit scene for the Sabbath Prayer.

Director Jordan Fein’s direction is slick and smooth, and he has introduced some modern touches, some of which are welcomed whilst others destroy the ethos of the show.

Julie Chong’s choreography ticks all the boxes, and Jerome Robbins’s original choreography for the now iconic bottle dance is totally mind-blowing.

Heading the cast as the thoughtful and philosophical milkman Tevye, who is always voicing his opinion on life, is Matthew Woodyatt, with Jodie Jacobs as his wife, Golde, who share some of the show’s most popular and classic duets, including ‘Sunrise-Sunset’ and ‘Do you Love Me’

“Everyone is a fiddler on the roof,” declares Tevye, and it’s the Fiddler in the guise of Raphael Pape who adds so much to the story with his easy movement, balletic dance style, and musical skills from the moment he makes his first appearance perched on a suspended wheatfield that ascends high on the set. He is amazing.

“The world is changing,” Tevye says, and traditions with it, and he has lived by traditions. One tradition in particular is that a father's word is law, and he will appoint the matchmaker to find a suitable husband—but the daughters find their own true love and husbands.

The three couples have charisma, are well matched, and give some excellent characterisations and performances and are strong in their vocals and dance.

The eldest, Tzeitel (Natasha Jules Bernard), is the first to marry the timid tailor Motel (Dan Wolff). The second daughter, Hodel (played by understudy Ashleigh Schuman on press night), falls for Perchik (Greg Bernstein), a revolutionary student who she follows to Siberia after he is arrested and sent there. Finally, Chava (Hannah Bristow) marries Fyedka (Gregor Milne), a non-Jew.

There’s some great ensemble scenes with the cast putting their own stamp on their characters. In the role of Lazer Wolf—the middle-aged butcher chosen as a match for Tzeital—Michael S. Siegel is perfection both in character and in his strong vocals.

Fiddler on the Roof is a show that is both sad and humorous and can be brutal, but it ends with a ray of hope as the residents head for new lives in other places.

Runs at Leeds Grand Theatre until Saturday 2nd August