Mazel tov to the cast of Fiddler on the Roof which has maintained the “tradition” theme of the musical by mesmerising audiences for the past 50 years with the moving tale built around a poor Jewish dairyman in a small Russian village in 1905.

The Hebrew word for congratulations, or to give it the literal translation good luck, was wholly appropriate for director and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood’s lavish production and definitely not worthy of an oy veh, that oft used expression of dismay.

It features a top notch cast with the charismatic Paul Michael Glaser, who was celebrating his 71st birthday on the triumphant opening night at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre, in the starring role of Tevye.

Best known as Starsky in the mid-to-late-1970s American cop series Starsky & Hutch, Glaser appeared, aged 27, alongside Topol in the 1971 hit movie of Fiddler on the Roof as the revolutionary student Perchik, who woos one of Tevye’s five daughters.

Far detached from his heartthrob days, Glaser sports a cloth cap and bushy grey beard to play the cuddly, lovable character to perfection, fighting to keep the tight community together as a forboding intrusion threatens the shtetl of Anatevka and at the same time find suitable suitors for his three eldest daughters.

I looked down on the orchestra pit on arrival and my heart sank, thinking recorded music would be the order of the night. But very soon it became apparent that all the cast members play an instrument, including Glaser strumming a guitar.

With a disdainful Strictly judge at the helm it was obvious also that there would be plenty of creative dancing to accompany infectious songs such as Tradition, Sunrise Sunset, To Life, Sabbath Prayer, Matchmaker and the best known of all, If I Were A Rich Man with Glaser showing he can hold a tune with the best of them.

There are also stand-out vocal performances from Emily O’Keefe, Liz Singleton and Claire Petzal, playing the daughters battling against arranged Jewish marriages.

Such a moving story needs humorous interludes and that is provided by Tevye misquoting the good book and despairingly imploring as he gazes heavenwards: “I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”

Another comic moment comes in a ghostly dream sequence in which Tevye attempts to persuade his formidable wife Golde (Karen Mann) away from making one daughter marry a bloated well-off villager.

No review would be complete without mentioning The Fiddler - Jennifer Douglas - who opens this three-hour show from the roof of the family’s ramshackle home and then appears enigmatically throughout playing haunting folk melodies.

While the story features persecution and poverty this production has an embarrassment of riches.

Fiddler on the Roof is at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford until Saturday, March 29. Call 01322 220000 or visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk.