THREE generations of one family will be appearing in the Bev Jones Music Company's May production of Fiddler On The Roof at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York. Step forward Dave Hagyard, his son Chris and his son Sam.

"When it's usually difficult to find male players for any production, we're so lucky to have Chris Hagyard, who has the challenging lead role of Tevye, with his father Dave playing the Rabbi and young son Sam joining the younger cast members," says producer Lesley Jones.

"Many rehearsal tea breaks will find them huddling over a lib book checking the words or music. Here is a real-life family taking part in a real family musical."

The show will run from May 23 to May 26 with its story 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.

Meanwhile, a proposed change of ownership of the Bev Jones Music Company has not gone ahead. "I am saddened it did not take place, for private and personal reasons," says Lesley. "Things happen in life that we cannot control, but one thing I could, and that was to make the decision to ensure the company did not fold.

"We shall now continue to uphold Bev's memory by me once again returning to the helm and staging Bev's favourite musical, Fiddler On The Roof. I feel it's important not to dwell on the disappointments, but to throw ourselves into this poignant yet very funny musical, which we'll stage in May, the same month when there'll be an inquest into Bev's death on February 28 2016 at Harrogate Justice Centre on May 14 and 15.

"As with Tevye – Bev's all-time favourite character, whom he played six times in his life – 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."

Tickets are on sale on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.