The Show must go on for Rutland Musical Theatre as they get ready to stage 'Fiddler on the Roof' this April.

In 2020, the Oakham based musical theatre company were getting ready for their production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' when the pandemic hit. In 2022, they will finally get to perform the iconic musical from composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick.

After a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic, Rutland Musical Theatre are finally getting back on their feet, and up on the roof, for their upcoming show.

'Fiddler on the Roof' is based on the Sholem Aleichem stories set in Imperial Russia in the early 1900's. It tells the story of a milkman named Tevye and his daughters as they strive to maintain their Jewish traditions, learn to love, and struggle through the early stages of the 1905 Russian Revolution. The narrative is by Joseph Stein and features music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. The show originally opened on Broadway in 1964 and was the first musical theatre run to surpass 3,000 performances and held the record for longest-running musical for almost 10 years. This success is remarkable since critics were originally concerned that the show was 'too Jewish' to attract mainstream audiences. At a time when shows such as 'Mary Poppins' and 'My Fair Lady' were incredibly popular, the success of more culturally diverse shows was unexpected. Today, the show is well known for the musical classics such as, 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker', 'Sunrise, Sunset' and 'If I were a Rich Man', which continue to attract audiences across the world. The cast are already getting excited to perform their version of this iconic play. Katie Ross, who will be playing Hodel and is in charge of marketing for RMT said: "Looking back on when we started the show back in early 2019, to now, being less than 2 months away from finally being on stage at The Cube - the feeling in the rehearsal room is truly electric. The cast cannot wait to be back on stage. "Taking this show through the pandemic has brought the entire cast closer than any other production I've done. We've been lucky to welcome some fantastic new members into the society for 2022, we're now a big family of nearly 50. it's fair to say this Fiddler will truly raise the roof!"

Victoria Fallow Norton, cast as Chava, added: "Fiddler is a fabulous show with awesome depth, an incredible score and is surprisingly relevant right now. The cast are superb and after 2 years are ready for an audience! The team have bonded so much during rehearsals and seeing everyone's performances coming together is amazing. It's like a big family. I'm so pleased I joined the society as not only are the shows a really high standard but it's such a well-mixed, friendly and welcoming group."

Vice-Chair of RMT, Laura Ray who will be playing Tzeitel said: "I've enjoyed becoming a family with my fellow cast members. We've become our own little village these past three years and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. Fiddler is a much-loved classic musical which we have put our hearts and souls into. A show guaranteed to make you laugh and cry and now set in a fabulous, local venue "

Tom Johnson, the Director of Fiddler and Chairman of RMT added: "The move to the Corby Cube signals an exciting change in direction for Rutland Musical Theatre and one which I feel will be overwhelmingly positive for the society as a whole. I am excited to nurture a great working relationship with the theatre which has already been established and to see what new possibilities the move opens up for our casts and our audiences alike. Long may we continue to do the name of Rutland, known for much in little, proud! "

Dan Wade, who is playing Motel concluded: "I genuinely think that this is an important production, full of humanity and hope, and I think that that is in short supply in the world. Plus, it's the perfect excuse for a good night out at the theatre!"

RMT recently celebrated their 40th Anniversary and were the sole Musical Theatre company in Rutland for over 3 decades. John Hackett, one of the founding members of the society and has been involved in every show for the last 40 years - and will be on stage for Fiddler!

RMT's 'Fiddler on the Roof' will run from Wednesday the 13th until Saturday the 16th of April 2022 at The Core at The Corby Cube. Tickets are £15/£17 (booking fee included) and can be purchased through the theatre website.

Alternatively, visitors can call the box office on 01536 470470 to enquire and book.