Alf Stewart
| Alf Stewart | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Home and Away character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Ray Meagher Max Buckley (Flashback) Robert Jago (Flashback) |
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| Introduced by | Alan Bateman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1988— | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 17 January 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present, regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 8 July 1945 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home | Summer Bay House | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Bottle Shop Owner Bait Shop Owner General Store Owner Surf Club Committee Member Barman Fisherman |
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Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988. Meagher is the only remaining original cast member still present.
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Casting
Meagher was cast in the role of Alf after appearing as a supporting character in numerous roles. He was one of only eight older actors that were cast in the serial's original line up.[1] Upon receiving his first regular role Meagher said "It's good for me to play someone like that after all the other blokes."[1] Meagher holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving actor in an Australian serial for portraying Alf since 1988.[2] As of 2011 he is the only remaining original cast member still present.[3]
During flashbacks to the character's past, Alf was portrayed by Max Buckley and Robert Jago respectively.[4][5]
In April 2010, it was announced Meagher was taking a break from Home and Away, so he could travel to London to star in the West End production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Meagher said "[Home and Away] have very generously allowed me to do Priscilla in the West End from September 20 roughly until early March."[6] Meagher returned to the West End in October 2011. However, the actor, whose contract is up for renewal in 2012, said he was committed to staying in Home and Away because he still enjoyed the role of Alf.[7]
Character development
In his early years Alf was described as a "good-natured rogue with a finger in every pie."[1] Meagher said that although some people think he is miserable, he sees him as an "upstanding member of the community".[8] He further added "He can be a bit grumpy and gets stuck into people and you have to be quick to catch his apology if he is wrong, but on the whole he is a big softie."[8]
Alf has shown a keen interest in business. Whilst serving on the Surf Club Committee, he also works as a bartender. He also owns a bait shop and takes part in recreational fishing.[9]
Alf's first on-screen relationship is with Ailsa Hogan (Judy Nunn). Writers decided that they pair would marry early on.[1] When filming began heavy rain disrupted filming for two weeks. Nunn almost missed her own wedding due to the producers trying to get her film.[1]
Alf's relationship with sister Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) has often been strained.[10] There has been a lots of fights and antagonsim between the pair. Morag later softens towards him after they reach an understanding.[10] Frances said: "underneath she will always care for him and look after him." Frances felt it perhaps not the best development because she enjoyed their "wonderful fights".[10]
Storylines
Backstory
Alf grew up in Summer Bay and took an interest in business. His father Gordon and Scottish grandfather Angus also lived in the Bay. By the time he was thirty, he owned the Summer Bay Liquor Store, the Summer Bay Caravan Park, a boat hire service and a yacht brokerage.[1] Alf married a local woman called Martha and they moved into the Summer Bay House at the Caravan Park. They had a daughter called Ruth. In 1985, Martha drowned and Alf decided that he could no longer live there and he let the Caravan Park decline, but looked after the house. He met Ailsa and they began dating, despite Ruth's dislike of her. Alf decides to sell the business and home to the Fletcher family. [11]
1988–
Alf first appears in the pilot episode of the show, in which he sells the Summer Bay Caravan Park to Tom and Pippa Fletcher, unable to cope with living there following the death of his wife, Martha, three years earlier. By now Alf is involved in a relationship with general store owner Ailsa, who he marries in 1988, despite the disapproval of his daughter Ruth (Roo) and the revelation that Ailsa was convicted of the murder of her abusive father.
After briefly separating, Alf and Ailsa reunite in late 1988, unexpectedly becoming parents to Duncan the following year. Alf later discovers he has a daughter, Quinn, from a previous relationship, but she rejects her father. In 2000, Ailsa reveals she also has another child, conceived after she was raped by a prison guard. This child turns out to be Shauna Bradley, who already lives in Summer Bay.
In 2001 Ailsa collapses and dies suddenly as the result of an undiscovered heart condition. Two years later a still distraught Alf has a nervous breakdown and begins seeing visions of his dead wife. It's later discovered he has a brain tumour.
In 2004 Alf discovers he has another long-lost child when he is reunited with his terminally ill former girlfriend, Viv Standish. The revelation leads Alf to realise local bad boy Eric Dalby, whom he loathes, is his grandson. After a difficult start the two build a relationship. The following year Alf is reunited with yet another long-lost family member when Roo introduces him to Martha, the daughter she gave up for adoption in 1988.
In popular culture
In 2010 Facebook fan pages caused to controversy in the Australian media. One of the pages in question was titled "Alf Stewart Rape Dungeon".[12] It was regarded as a smear campaign against the actor and there were calls for the social networking site to be more closely monitored.[12] The pages also featured false Youtube videos of Alf and Meagher's voice threatening to rape other cast members.[13] The page gained nine-thousand, five hundred users as fans.[13] However, other sections of 'the media' have pointed out that the 'pro-rape' Facebook page is merely a joke, and not promotional.[14]
Reception
For his portrayal of Alf, Meagher was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards.[15] In 2010, Meagher won the Gold Logie at the Logie Awards. He was also nominated for "Most Popular Actor".[16]
Holy Soap have said that Alf's most memorable moment is "The classic episode ripping off It's A Wonderful Life, in which Alf, in the middle of a brain tumour operation, is led through Summer Bay history as if he had never existed."[17] They also describe him as "the Lou Carpenter of Summer Bay, a miserable but lovable legend who will never leave."[17] Hampshire culture website Get Hampshire branded Alf a "legendary misery-guts".[8] They also said he is commonly known for his use of declining Australian slang with sayings such as "flamin' mongrel".[8] Yahoo!7 opined he had become "a TV icon" for using his catchphrases such as "flamin'" and "strewth".[9] In Catherine Deveny's book It's not my fault they print them she joked that she was distressed after watching three episodes of Home and Away and not hearing Alf say "flaming mongrels".[18] Virgin Media have also agreed he is "lover of stereotypical Aussie slang", stating "Stone the flamin’ crows!" has been one of his typical lines. They added that their favourite was "Yer flamin' great galah!"[19] They also said "There's no doubt Alf is loved, despite being a bit of a rogue with a finger in every pie."[19] They went on to describe him as the "godfather of Summer Bay" and "Grumpy but kind and good natured."[19] Geoff Mayer, Brian McFlarne and Ina Bertrand said in their book "The Oxford companion to Australian film" that Meagher's roles have epitomised the rough-hewn, knockabout Australian character. They said he portrays the persona in Alf and brands him a popular character.[20]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Oram, James (1989). Home and away: behind the scenes. Angus & Robertson. pp. 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111. ISBN 0-207-16315-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=ecVYHAAACAAJ&dq=isbn:0207163154&hl=en&ei=apRETfXPB8a3hQeD4NCfAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAA.
- ^ Fife-Yeomans, Janet (19 December 2009). "Shadows fall on Home And Away". Herald Sun (The Herald and Weekly Times). http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/shadows-fall-on-home-and-away-behind-the-scenes-at-australias-most-troubled-soap-opera/story-e6frf96f-1225811925149. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Meagher nabs first flamin' Gold Logie". ABC News. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2 May 2010. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/02/2888298.htm. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Episode 5108". Series Producer: Cameron Welsh; Director: Geoffrey Nottage; Writer: Chelsea Cassio. Home and Away. Seven Network. Seven Network. 30 June 2010.
- ^ "Episode 5164". Series Producer: Cameron Welsh; Director: Jet Wilkinson; Writer: Sarah Walker, Matt Anderson. Home and Away. Seven Network. Seven Network. 16 September 2010.
- ^ "Meagher taking Home and Away break". RTÉ TEN. Radio Telefís Éireann. 20 April 2010. http://www.rte.ie/ten/2010/0420/homeandaway.html. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ Eames, Tom (12 October 2011). "'Home and Away's Ray Meagher: 'I have no plans to retire'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s15/home-and-away/news/a345295/home-and-aways-ray-meagher-i-have-no-plans-to-retire.html. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ a b c d Margrave, Lauren (24 December 2008). "Aussie soap star crosses the globe for panto". Get Hampshire. (S&B Media). http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2041838_aussie_soap_star_crosses_the_globe_for_panto. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Stone the flamin' crows! Ray Meagher wins Gold Logie". Yahoo!7. (Yahoo! Inc. and Seven Network). http://au.tv.yahoo.com/news/article/-/article/7157054/stone-the-flamin-crows-ray-meagher-wins-gold-logie/. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "Cornelia: Morag hasn't changed". Holy Soap. (Channel 5). 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xKapHfXM. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Desmond, Kesta (1990). Home and Away Annual. Grandreams. pp. 10. ISBN 0-86227-7876. http://books.google.com/books?id=XIsiOgAACAAJ&dq=isbn:0862277876&hl=en&ei=eZJETYimIoOAhAelyNWLAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAA.
- ^ a b Vasek, Lanai (25 May 2010). "Facebook fury over pro-rape page". News.com.au. (News Limited). http://www.news.com.au/technology/facebook-fury-over-pro-rape-page-sparking-calls-for-site-to-be-more-closely-monitored/story-e6frfrnr-1225870805566. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Facebook group promoting rape and smearing Ray Meagher slammed". Herald Sun. (The Herald and Weekly Times). 24 May 2010. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/facebook-group-promoting-rape-and-smearing-ray-meagher-slammed/story-e6frf7jo-1225870593014. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ Marx, Jack (25 May 2010). "‘Rape joke’ explained". News.com.au. (News Limited). http://blogs.news.com.au/jackmarxlive/index.php/news/comments/rape_joke_explained. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (21 March 2008). "Digital Spy Soap Awards 2008: The Winners". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a92054/digital-spy-soap-awards-2008-the-winners.html. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "2010 Logie Awards: Full List of Winners". Perth Now (News Limited). 2 May 2010. http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/logie-awards-full-list-of-winners/story-e6frg15u-1225861311455. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Alf Stewart". Holy Soap. (Channel 5). http://holysoap.channel5.com/homeandaway/cast/alf-stewart-12198. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ Deveny, Catherine (2007). It's not my fault they print them (1st ed.). Schwartz Publishing. ISBN 1863951199. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2xqY7IWFhlMC&pg=PT61&dq=alf+stewart&hl=en&ei=WdCbTbaMH4-7hAfwkpX8CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=alf%20stewart&f=false.
- ^ a b c "Home And Away: Who's Who?". Virginmedia.com. (Virgin Media Inc.). 25 January 2007. http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/homeandaway-history2.php. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ Bertrand, Ina; McFarlane, Brian (1999). The Oxford companion to Australian film. Oxford University Press. pp. 304. ISBN 0195537971. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bJcYAQAAIAAJ&q=alf+stewart+home+and+away&dq=alf+stewart+home+and+away&hl=en&ei=idibTdWAPYW2hAel6ai8Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFkQ6AEwBw.
External links
- Character profile at the Official AU Home and Away website
- Character profile at the Official UK Home and Away website
- Character profile at the Official IE Home and Away website
- Character profile at Holy Soap
- Character profile at the Internet Movie Database
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