Fiddler on the Roof has become such a staple of amateur companies throughout the world, I was not expecting more than a worthy interpretation of 19th century Jewry in central Europe when I turned up for Devizes Musical Theatre’s production at Dauntsey’s School last week.

I could not have been more wrong. This was a work of depth, intelligence and theatrical brilliance.

Director Peter Nelson had the concept of turning the Memorial Hall around and performing on the floor with the audience sat on three sides. This gave the show an intimacy that you don’t often experience with a show of this size.

But it was not Mr Nelson’s main contribution to the final result. His casting was excellent, not least with the choice of the actor to play Tevye, the milkman who has been “blessed” with five daughters.

In the role Matt Dauncey is nothing short of excellent, giving a performance of depth, intelligent and humour. He was well supported by Claire Abraham who brought her beautiful soprano voice to the role of his wife, Golde.

As their daughters Tzeitel, Hodel and the heartbreaking Chava, Lucy Kibby, Naomi Ibbetson and Sophie O’Donnell gave winning performances and there was also fine work from Simon Hoy as the tailor Motl Gamzoil, Sam Fillis as the revolutionary Perchik, Ian Diddams as the butcher Lazar Wolf, Sue Huntley as the matchmaker Yentl and Chris Greenwood as the Rabbi.

But let us not forget the endearing Fiddler of Lily Loraine-Smith, who not only spent the entire show on her roof but played the violin most poignantly. She worked well with the excellent eight-piece band under the direction of Susan Braunton.

All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable show whose culmination, in portraying Jews being ejected from their homes, brought to mind the refugees currently trudging along the roads of central Europe.

MARTIN SMITH