Naked role welcomed by an ambitious Alfie
10:03am Friday 9th May 2008
FEET firm on the ground, heart set in making his own way - no wonder Alfie Allen has been hotly tipped as one to watch.
The excessively talented and refreshingly polite 21-year-old may be the brother of pop starlet Lily and son of comedian Keith, but he seems determined not to let the weight of his surname dictate his future.
"It's been a help and a hindrance," he said, speaking to your Worcester News prior to his debut at Malvern Theatres. "I think I've been able to step through doors that other people haven't because of who I know. But that doesn't get you a job. You have to want it. I still have to go in and do it."
Alfie has an impressive resume having worked with his mother, film producer Alison Owen, and dramatist Stephen Poliakoff. He has already shared screen time with Daniel Craig (in Flashbacks Of A Fool), with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley (in Atonement), and is now starring opposite Simon Callow in Peter Shaffer's Equus, which comes to Malvern on Monday.
"I'm worn out but it's going well," he said.
"It can get quite repetitive, walking to the stage, waiting to go on, but once you're on there is a buzz."
Landing the part of Alan Strang, the disturbed teenager with a decidedly unhealthy obsession with horses, was welcomed with open arms by Alfie, even if it was a little unexpected.
"I was on the phone to my agent and I said I'd like to get into more theatre. I went up for this and was told if I got the call back it would be in about four months. I thought they were fobbing me off to honest and just got on with my life.
"Then I got a telephone call, out of the blue, asking me to attend a workshop.
Within weeks, the young actor was having lunch with Shaffer and director Thea Sharrock, discussing nude scenes. While roles such as Strang are far from every day, Alfie is keen to try it all.
"I'd love to get into more comedy," he said.
"My girlfriend (Jamie Winstone) is always telling me I should."
That ambition, coupled with his level head, should see this Allen go far.
Equus runs from Monday, May 12, to Saturday, May 17. For tickets, priced £18.50 to £26.50 and £8 for under 25s, call the box office on 01684 892277, or book online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.