Refugees and asylum seekers are currently a hot topic, and throughout history it is a re-occurring nightmare for many to be forced to flee from their own lands.

This week is National Refugee Week and a Swindon theatre company is raising money from its latest production of Fiddler On The Roof to aid The Harbour Project, the town's own organisation set up to help asylum seekers.

R and J Productions, run by two of Swindon's theatrical leading lights, Ray Dance and Judith Sharp, will be staging the colourful musical based on the hardships endured by Russian Jews who were forced from their homes.

Fiddler On The Roof runs from Monday, July 12 to Friday, July 16 at Swindon's Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town from 7.30pm nightly. The musical features well loved tunes such as To Life (L'Claim!), Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were A Rich Man, Matchmaker Matchmaker and Tradition.

Judith said: "The musical centres on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon the family's lives. He must cope both with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters, who wish to marry for love, and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.''

Russell Langdown is director and Sandra Gilbert assistant director, with the music in the capable hands of Sheila Harrod and Matthew Taylor who plays The Fiddler. The young actors in the show come from the Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts.

The Harbour Project offers aid to those who have risked their lives, families and homes fleeing war and persecution, providing friendship and hope for a future. The organisation has been up and running since the Kosovo crisis in 2000. The project aims to give every individual who seeks asylum in the Swindon area a fair opportunity to gain refugee status and become part of the community.

Ray said: "The Harbour Project seems to be a very good charity to support. Friends have had interaction with them professionally and speak highly of them.''

For more details of The Harbour Project which became a registered charity in 2003 visit www.harbourproject.org.uk/

Tickets to see The Fiddler On The Roof are £7 and £14 from 01793 524481 or www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison