THE Bev Jones Music Company's spring production of Fiddler On The Roof opens tomorrow in memory of the late York musical director, producer, singer and leading man.

"It was Bev's all-time favourite show," says his widow, producer Lesley Jones. "He played Tevye five times and directed it six times, all over the UK and Ireland, hence our reason for choosing it. I knew his inquest was coming up this month at Harrogate Justice Centre, so it seemed fitting to pay a final tribute to him.

"As with Tevye, there was a series of tragic events surrounding his life and death, and I know Bev would have been thrilled to see us produce Fiddler."

Fiddler On The Roof will be staged at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from tomorrow to Saturday. "The lucky man who gets to play Tevye this time is Chris Hagyard, one of York's favourite tenors with heart and soul to match his big voice. Just like Bev," says Lesley.

York Press:

The late Bev Jones in Fiddler On The Roof in one of the five times he played Tevye

"It hasn't been easy at this time, with all the personal issues [the inquest], but as Bev would have said: 'the show must go on'. And it will. We're even hoping hoping to inject into Fiddler the humour Bev felt from it, so we're including a chamber pot that isn't in the script, but it was in Bev's."

The show's story is built around Tevye, his long-suffering wife and their five daughters, who all struggle to make a living in the village of Anatevka. While Tevye talks to God, his best friend, when times are hard, the old matchmaker and village gossip Yente insists on finding suitable husbands for his daughters.

Will this be a recipe for disaster? All will be revealed in 7.30pm evening performances and a 2.30pm Saturday matinee full of humour, sadness and haunting music, directed by York soprano Sally Lewis, with musical direction by Phil Redding.

Tickets for this week's 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.