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Review of 'Alfie', performed by
Thame Players
The title role
was made famous by the film
starring Michael Caine and it is
always interesting to see what
an actor will bring to the role.
Alfie is a womanising, rather
shallow character who uses women
for his own ends and then
discards them and was well
directed by Bernadette
Tildesley and Susan
Deaney.
Adam Hurst
was superb in the role, word
perfect and offering a cocky
self assured persona. At times
there was room for empathy but
this was not convincingly
portrayed and it was not
possible to find much to like
about the character. One
wondered why the women were so
drawn to him.
Anne Lankester
was credible as Siddie, the
first and last of his women that
we meet. Lucy Hardy gave
a very convincing performance as
Gilda by whom he had a child and
although he professed to be
interested in his son he soon
moved on to pastures new.
Peter Sawyer was appealing
as Humphrey the man in love with
Gilda who was prepared to marry
her and give her son a father
even though she made it clear
she did not love him. June
Garland as the doctor was
very impressive and although
only a small part the
professionalism and efficiency
she brought to the role made it
her own.
Andrew Clamp
as Harry Clamacraft demonstrated
a poignancy in his role of Joe
the sick man in the Sanatorium
and his wife Lily, skillfully
played by Hilary Carter,
brought great drama to the role
of the cuckolding wife and in
the abortion scene used her
emotions to the full eliciting
sympathy from the audience.
Julia Roitt played the
lively Nurse Carla with gusto.
Errol Bateman was
impressive as the old man
visitor in the sanatorium
bringing much needed relief to
the proceedings. Lara
Stoddart as Lacey, although
only having a small part, was
worthy of note. Flo was played
by Val
Cockayne
and was every
inch the tea lady in her
authentic attire.
Penny Harper
gave a fine performance as the
unworldly Annie, picked up and
seduced by Alfie and dropped
when she became too clingy.
Nick Wilkes was first rate
as Lofty the lorry driver who
was cheated out of a
relationship with Annie but was
able to turn the tables later in
the play. Jude Rogers was
superb as Ruby the older woman,
elegantly and seductively clad,
who took Alfie’s fancy; he
thought he was in control of the
situation but found to his cost
that Ruby was the one in charge.
Roe Gibbins
and John Poole played Vy
and Perc respectively, both in
small roles but impressive in
their performances. A special
accolade must go to Mark
Williams as Mr Smith; he
brought a cold and sinister mood
to his part, portraying his
unpleasant demeanour with a
chilling and disturbing
performance.
The stark set
was excellent as a backdrop for
the eleven scene changes, which
were slick and efficiently
created with furniture and
props, and credit must go to
Ian Cleare and his team. The
costumes by Elaine Moore,
Bernadette Tildesley and
Ruth Holland were first
rate, authentic and evocative of
the period and the professional
lighting from Phil Holland,
David Bright and Pat
Shepherd enhanced the
scenes. Sound from Reg Moss
and Colin Deaney were
responsible for the 60’s music
running throughout, which was
extremely well chosen and added
to the performance. Front of
House by Members and Friends
was, as always, pleasant and
welcoming.
This production was a credit
to the Thame Players.
Rita Carpenter. Bucks Free
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