by Scott Hylands
Alan Scarfe's illustrious career began with his performance as Glendower in Henry 4, (1) at UBC when he was still attending Lord Byng high school. Even at a young age he had a virile, powerful voice. He studied acting at LAMDA. Many productions followed, both in Europe and Canada (Stratford and Shaw) King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, Iago, Brutus, Cassius, Petruchio, Prospero, Cyrano de Bergerac, Doctor Faustus. Luther, Uncle Vanya, Verlaine, John Barrymore in Sheldon Rosen's Ned and Jack. He was also a stage director whose productions have ranged from the works of Shakespeare to Albee, Brecht, Beckett, Arthur Miller, and Pinter. He earned a Jessie award for Trying and a Gemini for The Bay Boy.
To many, certainly me, he was a good and loyal friend, with a remarkable flair for theatre, plus a wide range of interests that reflected a prodigious intellect and an inquiring mind. I salute him. And I will miss him.