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ALFIE
Based on the novel by Bill Naughton
Book and Lyrics by Eden Phillips Music by John Cameron
Venue: Watford Palace 2005
Directed by Lawrence Till




Cast
Alfie Darren Day
Lofty Samuel Board
George
Old Joe
Elliott
Ian Conningham
Siddie Ceri Ann Gregory
Humphrey
Brian
Mark Hilton
Doris
Matron
Nurse
Doctor
Julie Jupp
Gilda Rebecca Lock
Ruby Gina Murray
Ensemble Victoria Nalder
Lily Corinna Powlesland
Harry
Flower Seller
Michael Remick
Annie Rebecca Trehearn
Ensemble Lee Waterworth



Review

Alfie has been a radio broadcast, a book, a play and two turns before being twisted into a musical. The story ot the loveable womaniser was quite a bit happier in its earlier versions. Although the songs are generally well-written and well-sung, many seem out of place in a story which covers - among other issues - an illegal and traumatic abortion.

Darren Day plays well on his love-rat image, although he falls well short of Michael Caine's Cockney charm, which he is doing his best to emulate. You certainly wonder from time to time why all these women are drawn to him. Day is well supported by Alfie's various girlfriends, especially Ceri Ann Gregory as Siddie and Rebecca Trehearn as Annie, both of whom handle their torch songs with real style. The best numbers are the upbeat songs, giving Day and ensemble a chance to belt out the cheeky lyrics and have a knees-up. Sadly, these numbers fade out in the second act as the subject matter becomes too weighty. Where some musicals are entirely sung through and others are dialogue-based with the occasional break for a song, Alfie is trying to be something in the middle. This format is not entirely successful and the second act seems to descend into one long ballad. Scenery - designed by Ruari Murchison - did not behave well at this performance, with a particularly troublesome curtain, while flats were pulled on and off stage for no apparent reason. A pleasant enough evening with some outstanding moments but overall perhaps one makeover too many for Alfie.