Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 17:09:43 GMT
Alf Stewart
Article appearing in March 23 Sunday Telegraph newspaper in Sydney:
Summer Bay’s Alf — aka Ray Meagher — revelling in show’s new storyline for Gallipoli anniversary
HOME and Away’s Ray Meagher is set to deliver some of his most dramatic performances as Alf Stewart in a powerful new plot line marking the Seven soap’s tribute to the Anzac centenary.
Meagher is the great Australian larrikin, loved by audiences as the battler of Summer Bay.
In the serious story arc — to play out next month in the lead up to the Gallipoli anniversary — Alf challenges the students of Summer Bay High to show more respect for our military legacy, while he struggles with the painful memories of his own war service in Vietnam.
The elder statesman of the top-rating series said the upcoming scenes — driven by the show’s resident director Geoffrey Nottage — will stand as some of his best work in the 70-year-old’s long career.
“It’s the best storyline I’ve had in a while and I felt humbled to be tackling such important material. I only hope we do it justice ... as a way to honour all our service men and women.”
While Alf carries the mental scars of his time in the trenches, Meagher was one of the lucky ones who missed out on being conscripted, simply because his birthdate wasn’t drawn in the national ballot.
In his early twenties, Meagher was living carefree and playing rugby in Queensland but remembers — with a heavy heart — farewelling “half a dozen good mates. One that didn’t come back was an absolutely amazing young man,” he said, choking up.
“The Lest We Forget message is so important and it was great for (the show) to do our bit to recognise that,” the former Gold Logie winner added.
The production was initially set to film on the Western Front in Europe, Meagher said, “but there weren’t enough bikkies (money) in the tin”.
Instead, the focus became the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as well as a makeshift trench set up in Sydney’s south west.
On a lighter note, the TV veteran sent his best wishes to rival soap Neighbours, as they continue to celebrate 30 years on air.
“I don’t see them as rivals, just another wonderful show keeping great local people in employment. It’s been around just a bit longer than I have in this business, so I know what that takes ... congratulations to them all.”
In the words of Alf: “Flamin’ heck, it’s a good innings, but dig in fellas and don’t stop now. Keep up the good work.”
Article appearing in March 23 Sunday Telegraph newspaper in Sydney:
Summer Bay’s Alf — aka Ray Meagher — revelling in show’s new storyline for Gallipoli anniversary
HOME and Away’s Ray Meagher is set to deliver some of his most dramatic performances as Alf Stewart in a powerful new plot line marking the Seven soap’s tribute to the Anzac centenary.
Meagher is the great Australian larrikin, loved by audiences as the battler of Summer Bay.
In the serious story arc — to play out next month in the lead up to the Gallipoli anniversary — Alf challenges the students of Summer Bay High to show more respect for our military legacy, while he struggles with the painful memories of his own war service in Vietnam.
The elder statesman of the top-rating series said the upcoming scenes — driven by the show’s resident director Geoffrey Nottage — will stand as some of his best work in the 70-year-old’s long career.
“It’s the best storyline I’ve had in a while and I felt humbled to be tackling such important material. I only hope we do it justice ... as a way to honour all our service men and women.”
While Alf carries the mental scars of his time in the trenches, Meagher was one of the lucky ones who missed out on being conscripted, simply because his birthdate wasn’t drawn in the national ballot.
In his early twenties, Meagher was living carefree and playing rugby in Queensland but remembers — with a heavy heart — farewelling “half a dozen good mates. One that didn’t come back was an absolutely amazing young man,” he said, choking up.
“The Lest We Forget message is so important and it was great for (the show) to do our bit to recognise that,” the former Gold Logie winner added.
The production was initially set to film on the Western Front in Europe, Meagher said, “but there weren’t enough bikkies (money) in the tin”.
Instead, the focus became the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, as well as a makeshift trench set up in Sydney’s south west.
On a lighter note, the TV veteran sent his best wishes to rival soap Neighbours, as they continue to celebrate 30 years on air.
“I don’t see them as rivals, just another wonderful show keeping great local people in employment. It’s been around just a bit longer than I have in this business, so I know what that takes ... congratulations to them all.”
In the words of Alf: “Flamin’ heck, it’s a good innings, but dig in fellas and don’t stop now. Keep up the good work.”
