I haven’t seen many movies in my life but among those that I have seen, my favourite is The Fiddler on The Roof. I was 11 when I first saw this movie in 1976. The circumstances under which I saw it are etched in my brain and will make for another story to post in this blog. I know all the songs by heart and can rattle off most of the dialogues as well. Philip and the kids also love it.

But The Fiddler on The Roof is primarily a play, a famous Broadway production that has won 11 Tony and Olivier Awards. Mrs Snowball from church informed me that it is performing in theaters in New Zealand this month.

And I chanced to see Topol the main actor interviewed on TV. He was explaining how it was so much easier to be Tevia now than it was when he first did the play as a young man. Then, he had to remember to walk like an old man. He had to imagine how it might be to give one’s daughters away in marriage. Now he was an old man and had a wealth of life’s experiences behind him and found it easy to be Tevia. What an actor! I wished I could see the play. I also wondered how several of the scenes in the movie would be presented on a stage.

When I went on line to see when this play was being staged in Auckland, I noticed that the tickets were very expensive. The cheapest ticket was priced at 59 dollars and my manager at work assured me that if I bought that ticket, I would be seated firmly behind a pillar.

Some of the reviews read as follows:
‘The standing ovation from the large audience was fully justified and you would be mad not to see this production’
Capital Times, April 07

‘The milkman still delivers – a star performance that lives up to its reputation’
Dominion Post, April 07

“Topol is that rare creature: an actor with palpable charisma. His eyes glitter, his gaze touches all, his timing and delivery are impeccable and he delicately balances pathos with humour”
Herald Sun, June 06

On Friday, I went to pick the kids up from their youth meeting at Justin and Ingrid’s place. Justin came over to the car on the street and said that he and Ingrid wanted to get tickets for our whole family to go and see The Fiddler on The Roof. He wanted to know which day we would be free to go. I said I would call him and let him know. The weekend is over and I have not called him yet.

I have a very good feeling about the fact that someone understood how much we liked The Fiddler on The Roof. I do not think the good feeling I might get at seeing the production itself will match this. I feel satiated and thankful. Incidently, we are not free on any evening this week and will not be able to go. But somehow it does not matter anymore.