Days of political unrest, whole communities forced from their homes and the old traditions being forced to give way to the new winds of change, are all themes explored in the popular musical Fiddler On The Roof.

The story is as relevant today as when it was first written by Sholem Aleichem, in Yiddish, between 1894 and 1914. The musical is based on his series of tales about Jewish life in a village in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia, at the turn of the 20th century.

Each year Ray Dance and Judith Sharp produce a full scale musical in aid of charity, and this year they have chosen The Harbour Project in Swindon to benefit from the production. The charity offers aid to refugees and asylum seekers in Swindon.

Judith said: "The similarities with what is happening in certain parts of the world today prompted us to decide to donate profits from the show to The Harbour Project.''

Fiddler On The Roof runs from Wednesday, July 12 to Saturday, July 16 and at 7.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town.

The story is based around a milkman, Tevye, and his family. His daughters want to break with the Jewish tradition of marriages being arranged by the matchmaker. They want to marry for love. So while Tevye wrestles with his conscience about the situation, Jews are being forced to flee their homes all over Russia and his family's way of life has become as precarious as a fiddler on the roof.

The director is Russell Langdown with assistance from Sandra Gilbert and the musical score, which includes songs such as To Life (L’Chaim!), Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were A Rich Man, Matchmaker Matchmaker and Tradition, will be in the hands of Sheila Harrod and Matthew Taylor, who plays the fiddler. The children in the show come from The Gemma Short School of Dance and Theatre Arts.

Ray and Judith began singing together in 1984, their first venue being Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall where they were helping to raise money for a new roof. Thirty three years later they continue to sing together in concert, cabaret and musical theatre.

Tickets are priced between £7 and £14 and can be purchased by contacting Ray or Judith on 01793 485025 or by emailing randjmusicals@hotmail.com or 01793 524481. - Flicky Harrison