Alf Stewart
Encyclopedia
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.
During flashbacks to the character's past, Alf was portrayed by Max Buckley and Robert Jago respectively.
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." 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.
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.
Alf's first on-screen relationship is with Ailsa Hogan (Judy Nunn
). Writers decided that they pair would marry early on. 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.
Alf's relationship with sister Morag Bellingham
(Cornelia Frances
) has often been strained. There has been a lots of fights and antagonsim between the pair. Morag later softens towards him after they reach an understanding. 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".
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.
fan pages caused to controversy in the Australian media. One of the pages in question was titled "Alf Stewart Rape Dungeon". It was regarded as a smear campaign against the actor and there were calls for the social networking site to be more closely monitored. The pages also featured false Youtube
videos of Alf and Meagher's voice threatening to rape other cast members. The page gained nine-thousand, five hundred users as fans. However, other sections of 'the media' have pointed out that the 'pro-rape' Facebook page is merely a joke, and not promotional.
. In 2010, Meagher won the Gold Logie
at the Logie Awards. He was also nominated for "Most Popular Actor".
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." They also describe him as "the Lou Carpenter
of Summer Bay, a miserable but lovable legend who will never leave." Hampshire
culture website Get Hampshire branded Alf a "legendary misery-guts". They also said he is commonly known for his use of declining Australian slang with sayings such as
"flamin' mongrel". Yahoo!7
opined he had become "a TV icon" for using his catchphrases such as "flamin'" and "strewth". 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". 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!" They also said "There's no doubt Alf is loved, despite being a bit of a rogue with a finger in every pie." They went on to describe him as the "godfather of Summer Bay" and "Grumpy but kind and good natured." 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.
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian Channel Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, played by Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher surname pronouned "Marr" , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away, having played the...
. 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.
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. Upon receiving his first regular role Meagher said "It's good for me to play someone like that after all the other blokes." Meagher holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving actor in an Australian serial for portraying Alf since 1988. As of 2011 he is the only remaining original cast member still present.During flashbacks to the character's past, Alf was portrayed by Max Buckley and Robert Jago respectively.
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." 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.
Character development
In his early years Alf was described as a "good-natured rogue with a finger in every pie." Meagher said that although some people think he is miserable, he sees him as an "upstanding member of the community". 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."Alf has shown a keen interest in business. Whilst serving on the Surf Club Committee, he also works as a bartender
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
. He also owns a bait shop and takes part in recreational fishing.
Alf's first on-screen relationship is with Ailsa Hogan (Judy Nunn
Judy Nunn
Judy Nunn is an Australian actress and author.-Acting career:Her breakout role was as the scheming bisexual reporter Vicky Stafford in the risque soap opera The Box. Her character became a popular cult figure in the series. Nunn continued in the role for the show's entire 1974–1977 run...
). Writers decided that they pair would marry early on. 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.
Alf's relationship with sister Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Cornelia Frances. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 and briefly appeared in 1993. She returned yearly from 2001 until 2009 and...
(Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances is a British-born actress based in Australia since the early 1970s. Frances is best known for her recurring role as judge Morag Bellingham on Home and Away.-Early life and personal life:...
) has often been strained. There has been a lots of fights and antagonsim between the pair. Morag later softens towards him after they reach an understanding. 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".
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. 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.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 FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
fan pages caused to controversy in the Australian media. One of the pages in question was titled "Alf Stewart Rape Dungeon". It was regarded as a smear campaign against the actor and there were calls for the social networking site to be more closely monitored. The pages also featured false Youtube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
videos of Alf and Meagher's voice threatening to rape other cast members. The page gained nine-thousand, five hundred users as fans. However, other sections of 'the media' have pointed out that the 'pro-rape' Facebook page is merely a joke, and not promotional.
Reception
For his portrayal of Alf, Meagher was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2008 Digital Spy Soap AwardsDigital Spy Soap Awards
The Digital Spy Soap Awards was an event that honoured the successes in British soap operas in 2007-8. It was hosted by the entertainment website Digital Spy....
. In 2010, Meagher won the Gold Logie
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television
The Gold Logie Award has been awarded annually to the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the TV Week Logie Awards since 1960...
at the Logie Awards. He was also nominated for "Most Popular Actor".
Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
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." They also describe him as "the Lou Carpenter
Lou Carpenter
Louis "Lou" Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Tom Oliver. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 March 1988. Lou appeared for a brief time, before leaving and later returning in January 1992 as a regular cast member. He is the longest...
of Summer Bay, a miserable but lovable legend who will never leave." Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
culture website Get Hampshire branded Alf a "legendary misery-guts". They also said he is commonly known for his use of declining Australian slang with sayings such as
"flamin' mongrel". Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7 is a 50-50 partnership between the Seven Network and Yahoo! Inc. in Australia.As part of the Yahoo! Inc. and the Seven Media Group, Yahoo!7 brings together the online assets of Yahoo! Inc. and the television and magazine content of the Seven Network and Pacific Magazines...
opined he had become "a TV icon" for using his catchphrases such as "flamin'" and "strewth". In Catherine Deveny
Catherine Deveny
Catherine Deveny is a comedy writer and stand-up comedian, and was a regular columnist in The Age newspaper between 2001 and 2010...
'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". Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
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!" They also said "There's no doubt Alf is loved, despite being a bit of a rogue with a finger in every pie." They went on to describe him as the "godfather of Summer Bay" and "Grumpy but kind and good natured." 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.
External links
- Character profile at the Official AU Home and Away website
- Character profile at the Official UK Home and Away website