AS New Earswick Musicals move into the Joseph Rowntree Theatre this weekend in readiness for their revival of Fiddler On The Roof, everyone is charged up for next Wednesday's first night.

Directer Ann McCreadie and musical director John Atkin are in agreement that this has been "a wonderful show to produce and a great experience". "New Earswick Musicals are known as the friendly society and have certainly lived up to that name," says Ann. "Rehearsals have been fantastic and great fun. I don't think I have ever laughed so much."

Looking forward to the November 9 to 12 run, John adds: "We have a super cast with an amazing sound and the show is set to bring you a wonderful evening."

Based on Sholem Aleichem's story Tevye And His Daughters (or Tevye The Dairyman) and other tales, the 1964 musical has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein. Set in the Pale of Settlement in Tsarist Russia in 1905, the story centres on Tevye the milkman, who lives a very simple life in the small village of Anatevka.

When three of his five daughters rebel against the traditions of arranged marriages and decide to take matters into their own hands, mayhem unfolds as he attempts to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural creeds.

Tevye must cope not only with his daughters's strong will to marry for love – each one's choice of husband moving further away from the customs of his faith – but also with the Tsar's edict to evict the Jewish community from their village.

Chairman Steve Tearle will take the lead role of Tevye. "It's such a wonderful show that will make you laugh and cry," he says. "This will be the second time I've played Teyve, but this time I've seen so much more in the part; it's one of the ultimate roles you can play on stage.

"He's such a complexed person and goes through so may different emotions in the show; from his everyday relationship with his sharp-tongued wife Golda (played by Catherine Bordello) and daughters (Emma Craggs, Sarah Craggs and Anna Keat), to struggling with his faith and the fact he loses his beloved home and village."

The show will feature a set design by McCreadie and Tearle and projections by Adam Moor, Tearle and McCreadie. "We're using projection to create the look and feel of 1905 Russia," says Steve. "We've been able to create the farm with the cattle and give the show the authenticity that it deserves.

"One of my favourite scenes is Sabbath Prayer, where the song is beautiful and the staging is fantastic. I'm so proud of this show and to be apart of this amazing, amazing cast for Fiddler's story tradition, faith and love."

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee cost £18, concessions £16, children £12, on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk