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The Story... The year is 1905 and a Jewish community in Tsarist Russia is trying to eke out a living in the village of Anatevka. Tevye, a milkman, strives very hard to keep up the traditions of his faith, race and culture. He has five daughters, itself a problem but what is more pressing is trying to find husbands for the eldest three children. Yente, the village matchmaker, does her best but with no money and no dowry to offer she finds that her work is very difficult. Even so, the girls dream of the love that they will find one day. Tevye is called to see the butcher, Lazar Wolf, who is interested in marrying his eldest daughter Tzeitel. They make an agreement and celebrate. However, Tzeitel rejects the butcher’s proposal. She has her heart set on the young, impecunious tailor, Motel. The ‘new way’ is that children shall decide partners for themselves. But will Golde, Tevye's loving wife, accept this change in traditional values? Tevye conjures up a dream, and in the relating of it, he attempts to persuade Golde that Lazar Wolf is not a good match and that Grandmother would much prefer her granddaughter to marry the tailor. Golde is persuaded and that is the first chink in the breakdown of traditional values. Tevye's second daughter, Hodel, has fallen in love with Perchik, a political student and an activist against the repressive regime. Tevye refuses to give his permission for Hodel and Perchik to marry but they inform Tevye that they do not wish to seek his permission to marry but merely his blessing. Traditions are obviously changing. Later, Perchik is arrested and is sent to Siberia, where Hodel intends to join him. She promises her father they will be married under a canopy in the traditional Jewish way. Her father accompanies her to the railway station to bid her farewell. Chava, Tevye's third eldest daughter, has fallen for a Russian soldier Fyedka. Not only is he Russian, he is not a Jew and the bending of tradition this far is something that Tevye cannot reconcile himself to. From this point on, Chava ceases to be his daughter and is shunned. Meanwhile, Anatevka itself is under threat. The Jews are being forced to leave their homes and many of them decide to go to live in America where many of them have friends and relations. That is where Tevye and Golde and the two youngest children are to go. Motel and Tzeitel, who now have a child of their own, will join them. Chava and Fyedka, wanted by neither Jew nor Russian, go to live in Poland. The Fiddler on the Roof, the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people, will live on in all of them.
The Company After a break of six years, Steve is delighted to return to the Thespians in his favourite role, playing ‘Tevye’ for the fourth time. His other favourite roles have included Higgins in ‘My Fair Lady’, The King in ‘The King and I’, Emile in ‘South Pacific’, Escamillo in ‘Carmen’, Pirate King in ‘Broadway Pirates of Penzance’, Pilate in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, Judas in ‘Godspell’, Cervantes in ‘Man of La Mancha’, Adam in ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’, Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel’, Captain in ‘Titanic’ and Rico in ‘Copacabana’. Steve hopes that you will enjoy this version of one of his perennial favourites. Steve Wilks TEVYE, THE MILKMAN Judith is delighted to be back with the Hitchin Thespians after a fifteen year absence and is pleased to note that nobody has aged at all since she was last here! Over the years she has enjoyed playing lots of parts for different societies, including Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’, Adelaide in ‘Guys and Dolls’, Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma’, Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’ and Katisha in ‘The Mikado’. This is her third trip to Anatevka; the first time round she played the part of ‘Tzeitel’ so now feels that she has really grown up. As well as amateur dramatics Judith enjoys looking after her three children and three cats. Judith Coen GOLDE, HIS WIFE
Page 1 and 2: HITCHIN THESPIANS October 2009, The
Page 3 and 4: HITCHIN THESPIANS present Original
Page 5: The Production Team Linda Dyne PROD
Page 9 and 10: The Company Charles Langford MOTEL,
Page 11 and 12: Act One Scenes & Songs... THE PLACE
Page 13 and 14: The Company Tevye, the milkman . .
Page 15 and 16: Sheila Soothill wishes Hitchin Thes
Page 17 and 18: HITCHIN THESPIANS PAST PRODUCTIONS
Page 19 and 20: OUR LAST PRODUCTION MARCH 2009 Swee
Page 21: The Last Five Years Written and Com

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