Courage and resilience are at the heart of this stirring musical about 20th-century immigrants braving the new world

With book by Fiddler librettist Joseph Stein (sympathetically revised by David Thompson), it’s clear that Rags might represent the future of Anatevka’s plucky emigrants. Designer Gregor Donnelly loads piles of battered suitcases around the action as another boatload of refugees arrives at Ellis Island; and indeed, the plangent strains of the klezmer musicians entering to open the show evoke old-world baggage. Yet their subtle blending with the jaunty Americana of the four-strong band (sounding much bigger, thanks to orchestrator Nick Barstow), effectively reflects the shock of the new. A 'welcoming' party provided by a pair of sophisticated New Yorkers (Adam Crossley and Matthew Gent), their sharp cream suits contrasting with the ragged new arrivals, derisively dismisses them as "Greenhorns" – in perfect ragtime syncopation. Later their chant, "Take our city back" has instant, uncomfortable resonance today.

The show spotlights strong female characters. These homemakers have suffered violence and loss fleeing old-country pogroms. Rebecca (Carolyn Maitland, a huge stage presence) and her traumatised son David (appealing 11-year-old Jude Muir) have lost husband and father Nathan, but onboard ship they find Bella (touchingly resilient Martha Kirby), forging a close friendship with this plucky young woman, eagerly anticipating her reunion with her father Avram (huge-voiced Dave Willetts channeling Tevye). Lacking the requisite $20 or relative to vouch for them, it’s only because Bella persuades Avram to pose as Rebecca’s uncle that mother and son manage to enter America. Their welcome into the tenement he shares with his sister and brother-in-law is awkward. Sister Anna may be warm and expansive (Debbie Chazen, exactly that), but only proof of Rebecca’s extraordinary artistry as a seamstress persuades her difficult husband Jack (wonderfully dyspeptic Jeremy Rose) to let them stay.

This new ‘family’ is flung together by necessity, the need to survive, to scrape a living in harsh circumstances. Rebecca’s flair and agile fingers mean making more – and more elegant – garments faster to meet the demands of boss Bronfman (powerfully convincing Sam Attwater). Even little David proves a useful runner. Moreover, these Jews must embrace the world around them. Sal, the exuberant Italian trade unionist who lives below (Alex Gibson-Giorgio, exuding Latin charm) is the obliging Shabbos goy who lights the utilitarian candle even as Bella recites the blessings over the Shabbos candles. In a beautiful coup de theatre his fellow Catholics join in, singing 'Ave Maria' in powerfully symbolic counterpoint to the Hebrew blessing.

Everyone is on a steep learning curve, most are looking for love. Avram finds a willing teacher in the art of haggling from fellow street vendor – and hopeful widow Rachel (Rachel Izen providing deliciously broad humour). There’s immediate attraction between Bella and machinist Ben, a would-be musician moonlighting at the Yiddish Theatre (attractively sympathetic Oisín Nolan-Power). Rebecca finds herself caught between Bronfman and Sal, but will she choose either? There is tragedy against the backdrop of real-life Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and real choices to make as some continue their American odyssey to other destinations.

Under Bronagh Lagan’s nuanced direction, complemented by Philip Michael Thomas’s choreography, the Park’s space accommodates a story at once intimate and huge. Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics with Charles Strouse’s music nail the emotional impact. Rags is a rich, rewarding must-see experience.

By Judi Herman

Photos by Pamela Raith

Rags the Musical runs until Saturday 8 February. 7.30pm, 3pm (Thu & Sat only). £18.50-£32.50, £16.50-£23.50 concs, £15-£20 under-16s. Park Theatre, N4 3JP. 020 7870 6876. www.parktheatre.co.uk

Listen to our interview with the show’s producer Katy Lipson on JR OutLoud.