Warren Mitchell and Alf Garnett in…..

If there is such a thing as a sure thing then the Ensemble Theatre has one with its new show ‘Warren Garnett and Alf Mitchell in…’. The show amounts to an evening with the great British comedian and raconteur Warren Mitchell.
The play was divided into two distinctive Acts.
Act 1 was Alf Garnett in full force. The performance started with the old warhorse ranting and raving about all things racist and narrow minded, seated at a desk that was covered with a British flag. Pianist Arnold Butcher shared the stage with him, and provided occasional backing.

The ‘reincarnation’ of Alf Garnett was a hit with the audience. I imagine that many people will come to see the show just to have one more contemporary ‘hit’ of Alf. Alf’s strange, illogical view of the world has become ever more obnoxious and embarrassing.

After the break, Warren Mitchell walked out on stage in ‘something more comfortable’, a pair of shorts and a short sleeve shirt. This was Warren Mitchell as himself without his gruff alter ego. Act 2 did it so much more for me than Act 1. The show flowed so much better, Mitchell, one of the best raconteurs around, entertaining the audience wih anecdotes from his theatrical life, and recounting some of his favourite jokes with immaculate delivery.

The audience left with warm smiles on their faces. It had been a touching night in the theatre. Mitchell did not share any of his personal philisophies, still he left such a strong impression. Here was a gritty, pugnacious man, who coped with life with his resilient humour.

Mitchell spoke about how last year he suffered a stroke. The effects of the stroke were there for everyone to see. When he got up from his chair to walk around, he staggered around with the help of a walking stick. He told how, after being in hospital for two days after his stroke, he discharged himself, determined to get on with his life. His action kind of said it all, like bad old Alf, Warren Mitchell was no pushover, no man to mess around with. Formidable, and what a great showman!