Review

Curtain Call Awards 2001/2002

April 6th 2002

RMDS blessed by top production

Ringwood Musical
& Dramatic Society
Fiddler on the Roof
Ringwood School Theatre REVIEW

SCENE changes were a mite too protracted, threatening to break continuity, but there was precious little else to fault in a show that combined fine direction (from Poppy Garvey, an ingenious set, good chorus work, an outstanding orchestra (musical director David Andrews) and an impressive principal line-up.
    Fiddler centres around milkman Tevye, whose frequent conversations with God are the source of much of the show's humour, and Richard Bennett's wonderfully laconic portrayal and impeccable timing made him an excellent choice for the role.
    He was well supported by his "family", notably Chrissie Peckham as wife Golde and daughters Tzeital (Niki Price), Chava (Danni Maskell), Shprintze (Victoria Richardson), Bielke (Kelly Shults), and especially Hodel (a deeply-moving Michelle Heming).

    Among the supporting cast Anne Maynard gave a delightful performance as Yente, the Matchmaker, as did Andy Steeds as shy, retiring Motel, the Tailor.
    One of the evening's undoubted highlights was the excellent 'dream' scene, with a couple of excellent ghosts in the form of Val garner (Grandma Tzeital) and Jane Howell (Fruma-Sarah)
    I was also particularly impressed with the setting of the well-deserved curtain calls.
    Mazeltov, RMDS. You've done it again.
Linda Kirkman

Forest Journal
April 4th 2002

Mazeltov for a superb production

    POVERTY, oppression, anti-semitism, social change and erosion of faith - not obvious candidates for a hit musical, but Fiddler On The Roof defied all the rules and Broadway was a better place for it.
    It still works today and Ringwood Musical & Dramatic Society can be proud of their current production, which has so many good things to recommend it.
    Not least the match made in heaven between Richard Bennett and Tevye the milkman - it's a magnificent performance, beautifully sung and superbly acted.
    But there are so many good players: Chrissie Peckham as no-nonsense Golde melting tenderly in Do You Love Me?, Sam Coleman as disappointed bridegroom Lazar Wolf and Anne Maynard as Yente the Matchmaker among them.
    Michelle Heming, Niki Price and Danni Maskell are Tevye's sweet-voiced

Fiddler on the Roof
Ringwood Musical and
Dramatic Society
daughters with Andy Steeds, Julian Peckham and Greg Martin as their contrasting suitors.
    Producer Poppy Garvey works miracles within the confines of Ringwood School's stage, choreographer Jane Howell injects energy into the ensemble numbers and musical director David Andrews has done a first class job with principals, chorus & orchestra.
    It's not perfect - one or two of the beards are a little suspect and the first half is way too long, largely due to lengthy scene changes - but it's funny, touching, moving and ultimately uplifting. Mazeltov!
Lesley Bates

April 12th 2002

Fiddler on the Roof
Ringwood Musical &
Dramatic Society

    DIRECTOR Poppy Garvey made perfect casting decisions with this magnificent production and brought the whole show to a professional level.
    Richard Bennett truly lived the leading role of Tevye, perfecting the tired peasant style of movement, the Jewish accent, the endearing humour and had even grown his own beard for authenticity. Chrissie Peckham, playing Tevye's wife Golde, gave a natural performance and Andy Steeds as the nervous Motel, developing his

character's confidence after Tevye's acceptance for him to marry Tzeitel.
    The enchanting voices of Niki Price and Michelle Heming (daughters Tzeitel and Hodel) added to their delightful characters
    I had perhaps two favourite scenes which were particularly splendid in atmosphere and production, the first being in the inn with Lazar Wolf (Sam Coleman) asking Tevye for his daughter's hand in marriage with the rousing, exciting song and dance "To Life!"

and the second being the bedroom and dream scene. Tevye and Golde's late night chat was hilarious and the ghost of Lazar Wolf's wife, Fruma-Sarah (Jane Howell), was beautifully dramatic. Props in this scene were excellent.    For sheer power and ability to totally capture the audience, throwing it from poignant empathy to enchanted laughter, Fiddler on the Roof has to be yet another triumph to notch up for this respected company.
SM

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