The Finest Fiddling You’ll Find
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes
The Ultimate Fiddler on the Loose is now on stage at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia, the latest of a series of Fiddler shows. Reminiscent of Fiddler on the Loose 2022 with Drayton Entertainment, this show is billed as The Ultimate, meaning the best and most extreme, so I wouldn’t take it as their Fiddler farewell show. (I’m waiting for Fiddler in the Caboose, where they could feature even more songs about trains.)
This has been said many times, but there is something for everyone. Though it begins with a rock medley, there is Celtic music, Canadian music, country, soft ballads and jazz. There’s even the participatory “Seven Old Ladies” featuring guest Clair Voyant (though perhaps it might be Leah Grandmont in disguise.) Jesse Grandmont’s fiddle version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” brings the greatest joy to the audience.
Jesse Grandmont has been fiddling on the loose since 2013, he says, picking up the fiddle at the age of three. Somewhere between the age of three and now, he became extremely swift and accurate with the bow, charismatic, a leader, a great singer, and light on his feet; he hosts this show with charm. There are numerous Fiddler on the Roof jokes sprinkled throughout the show, though I’m pretty sure this audience knew they were seeing the Loose version, not the Roof one. Grandmont expertly played and performed in Fiddler on the Roof for Drayton Entertainment this past summer.
Leah Grandmont also began her fiddling career at age three. She played in Oil Rush this summer at VPP and allegedly learned the entire score for Fiddler on the Roof, though come to think of it, she said that in 2022 as well. In all seriousness though, she is a wonderful violin virtuoso as well as an expert fiddle player. (Go see the show to learn all the differences between violin and fiddle.)
Besides the Grandmont siblings, this show features three Ballogh siblings: Devan and Paige beautifully fiddle and step dance, and Matt plays his guitar in many styles. The three are also wonderful vocal performers and are known for their Celtic music.
Elena Scott-Howard, new to VPP, was part of Drayton Entertainment’s Fiddler on the Loose 2022. She is an expert fiddler and a lovely vocalist with a very high range. As well as having five fiddlers, the show is rounded out with bass player Eric Larson and percussionist Dave Robilliard. Oh, and at one point there’s a concertina? player and a sousaphone? player – I’m just guessing what the instruments are, to be honest, because they just called them a squeezebox and a horn – but I suspect these frumpy women might not be quite who they seem to be at first glance.
The set features three colossal fiddles on the back wall that change colour depending on the mood. The lighting crew expertly sets the mood of each performance with their spotlights precisely focussed on individuals on their risers and using colours such as the deep red for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
It’s an entertaining show for all ages, featuring VPP regulars and siblings. If you haven’t yet seen any rendition of Fiddler, I recommend that you purchase a ticket. And if you are already a Fiddler fan, it is more of that incredible talent that you’ve seen before.
The Ultimate Fiddler on the Loose continues at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia until September 29th. For tickets, call the box office at 1-800-717-7694.
Photo: Brian Barber, Paige Ballagh, Erik Larson, Elena Howard-Scott, Jesse Grandmont, Leah Grandmont, Devan Ballagh, Dave Robilliard. Photo by Diane O’Dell
The Ultimate Fiddler on the Loose
Directed and Choreographed by David Hogan
Music Direction by Mark Payne
Performed by Jesse Grandmont, Devan Ballagh, Matt Ballagh, Paige Ballagh, Brian Barber, Leah Grandmont, Elena Howard-Scott, Erik Larson, Dave Robilliard
Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia
September 10 to September 29, 2024
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes