Review: Viulunsoittaja katolla

The harrowing story of the Jews ignites as a musical

It’s no wonder that this musical is one of the most beloved. Fiddler on the Roof is both funny and touching at the same time.

In recent years, the Helsinki City Theatre has pampered viewers with a cavalcade of various favourite musicals.

Even a little confusing is this year’s choice. Hasn’t it already been seen many times and even worn out a bit? According to statistics, it is the most performed musical in the world, and many versions of it have already been made in Finland.

However, the fiddler on the roof manages to surprise us.

Poor poor dad with five beautiful daughters

Take the Ukrainian village of Anatevka at the end of the 1800s. Let’s draw a picture of the milkman Tevye (Esko Roine), who is even poorer than a church rat, and who has five beautiful daughters with his wife Golden (Riitta Havukainen). How could a poor and tradition-respecting Jewish father allow his daughters to marry like the best Jewish sons? Of course, these should have at least some funds.

Everything goes completely wrong from poor daddy’s point of view. The daughters’ hearts may want something else.

There is a lot of laughter in the performance, but not even a tear comes out.

Underneath the funny and wistful twists and turns, a sharp thorn is revealed: the narrow position of the Jews in the rising anti-Semitism of the Tsarist era.

The enchantment of music remains

Swedish director Hans Berndtsson is already a familiar man in the City Theatre’s major musicals. He also makes the Fiddler breathe.

Esko Roine shines as Tevye. The whole ensemble gives it their all. The enchanting power of the music has been preserved, the absolute gems being of course the tear-raising day, which brings tears to my eyes, and Tevye’s bravura Rich Man If I Would Be. But after the performance, you find yourself humming Anatevka as well.

The tavern scene in Le Chaim has wild power as the choreographer makes the most of both Jewish and Slavic traditions.

We are once again living in a very anti-Semitic era. It is brave to bring such a Jewish performance to the theatre stage.

The beautiful blessing song of the traditional Sabbath meal is touching. In today’s Finland, this would be a rare sight: the whole family together blessing a meal.