Former EastEnders star Tracy Ann Oberman told Soaplife about her new role in the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof!
Former EastEnders star Tracy Ann Oberman told Soaplife about her new role in the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof!
What are you up to at the moment, Tracy? “I’ve just opened in the legendary musical, Fiddler on the Roof, at the Chichester Festival Theatre. I’m really excited. I spent my childhood watching the film. It seemed to be on TV every holiday time.”
What’s the story behind it? “It’s set in a Jewish settlement – or shtetl – in Imperial Russia in 1905 and it recounts the story of a poor dairy man called Tevye, his wife, Golde, and their five teenage daughters. It has extra resonance for me as my grandmother lived in a Russian shtetl. And the story is still a very relevant story, especially at the moment.”
Why? “It’s partly about immigration and being thrown out of your home. Back then, the Jewish people were constantly under threat from the Russian tsar, who could throw them out at any moment – and did. There was a lot of persecution at that time.”
Who are you playing? “I’m playing Golde and actor and comedian Omid Djalili is playing Tevye. Their daughters very much want to live their own lives and make their own choices, which goes against the traditional way that Golde and Tevye have always lived.”
Do you get to sing in the show? “Yes. It’s a first for me. I’ve only ever sung in the shower before! I was very nervous, but the musical directors on the show are great. The songs are iconic, too, including Matchmaker, Matchmaker, If I Were a Rich Man and Sunrise, Sunset.”
You played Chrissie Watts in EastEnders for more than 18 months, from 2004 to 2005… How do you remember her? “I really loved playing such a good female character. Victim? Villain? She made her mark in killing ‘Dirty Den’ Watts, one of soap’s greatest icons, and it also gave me a wonderful platform for future projects.”
For more information and tickets, please visit: www.cft.org.uk
