DAMPIER, ALFRED (18471908)

was born in London on 28 February 1847, the son of John Dampier (John'sNotable Australians, 1906). He was educated at the Charterhouse, and taking up amateur theatricals made some reputation with a dramatic club known as the "Ellestonians". He then played as a professional in the provinces, where he was associated with Henry Irving at Manchester and formed a friendship with him. After Irving went to London in October 1866 Dampier came into notice as an actor and played some of Irving's parts. H. R. Harwood, who was then one of the managers of the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, saw Dampier at Manchester in 1872 and engaged him as leading man and producer.He made his first appearance in Melbourne as Mephistopheles in his own version ofFaust, and he also appeared with success as Hamlet, Othello, Iago, Richard III and in other important parts. In February 1877 he made his first appearance at Sydney taking the part of Hamlet, and he also toured Australia and New Zealand. He then proceeded to America and England and in February 1881 produced at the Surrey Theatre, London,All for Gold, by the Australian dramatist, F. R. C. Hopkins. Dampier returned to Australia, and leasing the City and Standard Theatres, Sydney, and the Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne, producedRobbery Under Arms,For the Term of his Natural Life, and other plays written, or partly written, by himself. In 1898 he took the part of Captain Starlight inRobbery Under Armswhile on a visit to London. He played this part for the last time in 1905 at Sydney, but he was suffering in health having never completely recovered from an accident in a New Zealand theatre where he fell through a trap. He died at Sydney on 23 May 1908. He married in 1868 Katherine Alice, daughter of T. H. Russell, who survived him with two daughters, Lily and Rose, and a son. His wife and children frequently took leading parts in his plays.

Dampier, a man of fine character, was of handsome appearance and had an excellent voice. He made a great reputation with his popular plays, and was very good in character parts such as Jean Valjean in his dramatization ofLes Miserables. In Shakespeare he was sound and capable rather than brilliant, possibly at his best in Macbeth which he played robustly. He frequently gave Friday night performances of Shakespearian plays at Sydney. His own plays have never been printed.