Company follows well trodden path in dazzling style.

Byline: Paddy Wells

Fiddler on the Roof, Gala Theatre Durham until Saturday.

YOUNG and old descended on the Gala Theatre in Durham last night as Fiddler on the Roof opened spectacularly to a full house.

This long-awaited production is the latest effort by the highly acclaimed Durham Musical Theatre Company, an amateur group celebrating its centenary this year. The thrilled audience was swept back to the world of Tsarist Russia in 1905, where Tevye, an impoverished milkman, is struggling to preserve the values of his traditional Jewish community.

Tevye watches bemused as his daughters marry against his will and his people live as outsiders under the persistent threat of racist violence.

Director Fred Wharton explains: "The s man - his relationships with his family, his people, his enemies and his God." While Fiddler on the Roof is a popular choice for both professional and amateur companies, it is rare to see it performed so well.

From the first moment, the audience was dazzled by the strength of the performances, notably that of Anthony Smith in the lead. There are too many others to name here apart from Audrey Robson, who also stole the show as Yente, the village matchmaker.

The ambition of the project was staggering. Its perfectly drilled and choreographed cast of more than 70 played every scene to the hilt.

Costumes and set gave the production an authentic feel that complemented its more serious themes and drew the audience into the drama.

Musical director Steven Hood brought Jerry Bock's score to life with great ability. The greatest pleasure, however, was seeing members of the public pursuing music and drama to a professional standard. Let us hope the DMTC continues to work its magic for another 100 years.

Paddy Wells