DIRECTOR Eunice Cockburn has taken Darlington Operatic Society's production of Fiddler On the Roof by the throat and insisted that most of the male cast grow beards.

The results for production, which runs from October 23 to November 2 at Darlington Civic Theatre have been spectacular for the older men, but she is anxious that younger recruits still cannot move beyond the stubble stage.

"I have always been dead set against the idea of stick-on beards and whiskers. The older members of the chorus are doing well and one is surprised how many people now react by opening doors for him and helping him across the road," said Mrs Cockburn, who retired as Sedgefield Community College's head of drama in 1998.

Now a freelance director and workshop organiser, she has introduced a revolving set to bring the bustling Russian village of Anatevka to life.

Teessider Ken Horsley is cast as Tevye, the impoverished dairyman of If I Were A Rich Man fame.

"The hardest part has been to stop the cast speaking Jewish with an American accent because so many of them have watched the film version," said the director, who took the lead in 25 operatic productions before moving towards producing and directing.

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