Alfie, Regent Centre, Christchurch (From Bournemouth Echo)

Alfie, Regent Centre, Christchurch

11:39am Monday 1st February 2010

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THOUGHTLESS, heartless, and totally self-centred, and few can resist his audacious charm.

Originally written for the theatre by Bill Naughton in the early 1960s, before the memorable film version starring the young Michael Caine, Alfie brilliantly depicts the underside of the swinging decade's sexual revolution, summed up by the Lambeth Lothario's 'make them happy and move on quick' philosophy, which never fails - until it does.

Over forty years on, the work hasn't dated at all, and it could hardly have been better served than by this highly versatile company from Berkshire who both act and accompany themselves instrumentally, and with Edward Elks in the lead role performance that was a true tour de force.

Looking not unlike Michael Caine is obviously an asset, but the talent was all his own. On stage for most of the play, his delivery of the cynical but witty text was faultless as he recounted his endless female conquests, both married and single and, even when briefly hospitalised, with a 'closed screen's examination' junior nurse.

When he's forced to arrange a termination, though, Alfie finally faces up to his irresponsible lifestyle, wondering what life is really all about - but the question unanswered, he soon starts his old ways all over again.

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