Fiddler on the Roof Delights Sydney Audiences at Theatre Royal

Fiddler on the Roof

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a performance of Fiddler on the Roof at Theatre Royal Sydney, and it proved to be a memorable evening of music, theatre, tradition, family and wonderfully engaging performances.

This acclaimed production, which originated in London before travelling to Australia, brings the much-loved musical classic to life with an impressive Australian cast and a fresh, vibrant production. The Sydney season is playing at Theatre Royal from 31 July to 3 October 2026.

For me, one of the particular highlights was seeing two much-loved Australian performers, John Waters and Sigrid Thornton, together on stage. I was particularly thrilled to see them, having enjoyed their work over many years.

A Classic Musical with a Powerful Story

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof is set in 1905 in the fictional village of Anatevka, where Tevye, a Jewish milkman, tries to maintain the traditions that have shaped his family and community while his daughters begin challenging those traditions.

The story explores family, love, marriage, faith, community and the inevitable changes that come with each new generation. Beneath the humour and wonderful musical numbers is also a deeply moving story about displacement and the loss of home.

The musical is based on stories by Sholem Aleichem, with a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. It has become one of the most enduring works in musical theatre.

John Waters and Sigrid Thornton Together on Stage

Fiddler on the Roof

Seeing John Waters and Sigrid Thornton performing together was a real treat.

John Waters plays Lazar Wolf, the wealthy butcher who hopes to marry Tevye's eldest daughter, Tzeitel. Sigrid Thornton plays Yente, the village matchmaker, bringing plenty of personality and humour to one of the production's memorable characters.

Their appearance together has an added significance for Australian audiences because they previously starred together in the much-loved 1983 television miniseries All the Rivers Run. Their reunion in Fiddler on the Roof was therefore particularly special.

For me, seeing these two familiar Australian screen and stage performers sharing the Theatre Royal stage was one of the highlights of the evening.

A Wonderful Australian Cast

The production features an accomplished cast led by Troy Sussman as Tevye and Alexis Fishman as Golde, with Freya Boltman as Tzeitel, Ellen Ebbs as Hodel and Caity Plummer as Chava.

Troy Sussman brings warmth and humour to Tevye while also capturing the emotional challenges faced by a father watching his daughters make increasingly independent choices.

The three daughters each have their own personalities, dreams and ideas about love and their futures, helping make the story feel surprisingly contemporary despite its early twentieth-century setting.

Sigrid Thornton's Yente adds humour and energy, while John Waters brings his considerable stage experience to Lazar Wolf.

The cast also includes internationally acclaimed violinist Ben Adler as The Fiddler, an important presence throughout the production.

A Striking Set Brings Anatevka to Life

Fiddler on the Roof

The set of Fiddler on the Roof at Sydney’s Theatre Royal was one of the highlights of the production for me, beautifully transporting the audience from Sydney into the rural village of Anatevka in early twentieth-century Russia. Designed by award-winning British designer Tom Scutt, the stage features striking golden fields of wheat that create a strong sense of place while also reflecting the changing mood of the story. 

The village initially feels warm, welcoming and full of life, but as the story develops and the community faces persecution and displacement, the same landscape takes on a darker and more poignant meaning. Above it all, the presence of the Fiddler reinforces the musical’s central theme of balancing tradition with change. 

I particularly enjoyed how the set worked seamlessly with the lighting, music, costumes and performances rather than distracting from them. It created a visually impressive and atmospheric world for the characters and made the emotional journey of Fiddler on the Roof even more powerful. For me, it was a beautiful example of how clever set design can become an important part of the storytelling rather than simply providing scenery behind the performers.

Music That Still Captivates

One of the great pleasures of Fiddler on the Roof is its unforgettable music.

Songs including Tradition, Matchmaker, If I Were a Rich Man and Sunrise, Sunset have become classics of musical theatre and remain just as powerful today.

The music moves effortlessly between moments of comedy, romance, celebration and sadness. The production's musical direction and ensemble performances help create the sense of a living village community, making the audience feel increasingly connected to the characters.

The famous bottle dance is another memorable highlight, bringing an infectious burst of energy to the stage.

Tradition, Change and Family

Fiddler on the Roof

Although Fiddler on the Roof is set more than a century ago, its themes remain remarkably relevant.

At the heart of the story is the tension between tradition and change. Tevye loves his family deeply, but he also struggles when his daughters make decisions that challenge the customs he has always followed.

This makes the musical much more than a nostalgic period story. It asks questions about how families adapt as generations change and how people hold on to their identity while facing an uncertain future.

The story also becomes increasingly serious as the security of the Anatevka community is threatened. The emotional impact of the final part of the production is considerable and provides a poignant contrast to the humour and exuberance earlier in the evening.

A Spectacular Theatre Royal Experience

The Theatre Royal Sydney provides a wonderful setting for this production. Located at 108 King Street in the heart of Sydney, Theatre Royal stands on the site of the original theatre, which dates back to 1833.

The production's creative team is headed by director Jordan Fein, with choreography by Julia Cheng and design by Tom Scutt. The staging creates a distinctive visual world for Anatevka, while the ensemble helps transform the stage into a lively village community.

My Verdict

Fiddler on the Roof

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at Fiddler on the Roof.

It combines a wonderful score, an engaging story, strong performances and plenty of humour with moments of genuine emotion. For me, seeing John Waters and Sigrid Thornton on stage together was an especially enjoyable part of the experience.

Whether you already know Fiddler on the Roof or are discovering this much-loved musical for the first time, the Sydney production offers an entertaining and ultimately moving night at the theatre.

With its themes of family, love, tradition, change and community, Fiddler on the Roof demonstrates why this musical has remained a favourite with audiences around the world for generations.

For anyone looking for things to do in Sydney, live theatre experiences in Sydney or the best musicals currently playing in Sydney, Fiddler on the Roof at Theatre Royal is well worth considering.

The Sydney season continues until 3 October 2026. It will then move onto Brisbane (9 Oct), Melbourne (31 Oct) and Perth (& Jan). 

Theatre Royal Sydney

Website: www.theatreroyalsydney.com
Email: info@theatreroyalsydney.com
Phone: 1300 163 808
Address: 108 King Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Fiddler on the Roof

Official website: https://fiddlerontherooftour.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiddlerOnTheRoofTour/

Sydney season: Theatre Royal Sydney, 31 July to 3 October 2026.

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