Maria Friedman and Anita Dobson to join cast of Fiddler on the Roof

New casting has been announced for the West End revival of Fiddler on the Roof, which transferred to the Playhouse Theatre from the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Maria Friedman will take over the role of Golde, currently played by Judy Kuhn. A three-time Olivier Award recipient for her performances in By Special Arrangement, Passion and Ragtime, Friedman's extensive theatre credits over three decades include West End and Broadway productions of The Woman in White, Sunday in the Park with George and concert performances of Sweeney Todd. In 2013, she made her directorial debut at the Menier Chocolate Factory with Merrily We Roll Along, which later transferred to the West End.   

Anita Dobson will assume the role of Yente, currently played by Louise Gold. Her West End credits include an Olivier Award-nominated performance in Frozen at the National Theatre, Madame Morrible in Wicked and Mama Morton in Chicago, also delivering an award-winning performance as Angie Watts in Eastenders from 1985 to 1988.

Maria Friedman and Anita Dobson will join the cast from 18th June alongside the current cast including Andy Nyman as Tevye, Nicola Brown as Chava, Harriet Bunton as Hodel, Dermot Canavan as Lazar Wolf, Stewart Clarke as Perchik, Joshua Gannon as Motel, Matthew Hawskley as Fyedka and Molly Osborne as Tzeitel.

Set at the turn of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Fiddler follows a small Jewish community as their pious lifestyle is upturned by Russians marching through their village, with a score including "Tradition" and "If I Were a Rich Man".

In a review for LondonTheatre.co.uk, Mark Shenton praised Trevor Nunn's directorial vision, for the production. He said: "this is a gorgeous production of a simply glorious musical."

Fiddler on the Roof is at the Playhouse Theatre.

Fiddler on the Roof tickets are available now.