Last autumn St Albans Musical Theatre Company performed sell out shows at the Alban Arena with their production of Hairspray. This spring they are back, with another family favourite; Fiddler on the Roof complete with their own flying ghost! Keep reading to find out more about their interview with the 1971 film’s ghost – Ruth Madoc...
Fiddler on the Roof is a story rich in humour that captures human longings for love, community, success, freedom and family. It is a theatrical experience that is full of life from start to finish featuring the well known classics ‘If I were a rich man’, ‘Matchmaker, Matchmaker’ and ‘Sunrise, Sunset’. This show is ever popular amongst theatregoers with Director Linda Dyne and Musical Director Philip Joslin continuing the high standard SAMTC deliver, supported by some of the brightest talents on the local theatre scene including Steve Wilks as Tevye, and Debby Connor as Golde.
The Fiddler on the Roof cast had the pleasure of meeting the original flying ghost Ruth Madoc who played Fruma Sarah in the 1971 film, impressing the director with her own augmentation of the performance beating 500 other auditionees for the part to go on scaring screen audiences for the last 45 years. Hi-de-hi star Ruth had jaws dropping as she recalled the three hours of make-up she went through each day before filming, starting at 6am at Elstree Studios. In just her 20’s she was thought to look too young for the ghostly part, so had to have her face moulded to look more characterful. Madoc also went on to recall the ghastly day when flight in the scene went horribly wrong and she was dragged along the floor and across the gravestones! Halting filming for two weeks for Madoc while she recovered.
Ruth provided tips and advice for the SAMTC cast to ensure they can continue to WOW audiences; highlighting her most important rule to be truthful to your character and feel the emotion, not just play it, while also creating some ghostly poses with the cast’s own Fruma Sarah; Karen Thorp.
Go to www.alban-arena.co.uk/events/fiddler-on-the-roof/ to book your tickets before they sell out.
St Albans Musical Theatre Company produces two shows per year, staged at the Alban Arena. They have a history of putting on big, bold musicals to critical acclaim and have a large membership who get involved in all aspects of production. Previous to Hairspray, the company performed Oliver!, Grease, and Annie, amongst other favourites previously seen on Broadway and in the West End.
To find out more about the company and how you can get involved, please click here.
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