Under the Southern Cross (play)

Under the Southern Cross, also known as Arnold's Luck or Under the Southern Cross is a 1885 stage play by Alfred Dampier. It was written at a time when Australian plays were relatively rare.[1][2][3][4]

Under the Southern Cross
Written byAlfred Dampier
Date premiered9 November 1885
Original languageEnglish

The original production premiered at the Gaiety Theatre in Sydney on 9 November 1885[5] and starred Dampier, and his daughters Lily and Rose.[6] The plot involved twins and an Irish new chum. Reception was generally positive.[7]

It was accepted for production in England.[8]

The play shares the same title as a play by Edmund Duggan about the Eureka Stockade.[9][10]

Dampier reused the elements of a twin brother and Murrumbidgee whaler in his later play Marvellous Melbourne.[5]

Premise

The adventures of two twin brothers in Australia. One brother, together with a Murrumbidgee whaler, murders a man for his money. The other twin, poor but honest, is confused for his brother.

References
  1. "Alfred Dampier" (PDF). Australian Variety Theatre Archiv.
  2. "MR. ALFRED DAMPIER". The Daily News. Vol. XIV, no. 6, 757. Western Australia. 17 April 1897. p. 5. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "A Young Australian Actress". Evening News. No. 7639. New South Wales, Australia. 21 November 1891. p. 1 (Evening News Supplement). Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Advocate Magazine". Advocate. Vol. LXXXVI, no. 5110. Victoria, Australia. 2 July 1953. p. 9. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. Williams, Margaret (1983). Australia on the popular stage, 1829-1929 : an historical entertainment in six acts. p. 150.
  6. "Advertising". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. Vol. XII, no. 1046. New South Wales, Australia. 19 December 1885. p. 1. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "VICTORIA THEATRE". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. Vol. XII, no. 1047. New South Wales, Australia. 21 December 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "PLAYWRIGHT AND PLAYER". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XXXIV, no. 9, 973. South Australia. 29 January 1897. p. 3 (ONE O'CLOCK EDITION). Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "AUSTRALIAN DRAMA". Daily Herald. Vol. 2, no. 568. South Australia. 30 December 1911. p. 6. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Commercial Success with". The Sun. No. 1890. New South Wales, Australia. 18 June 1939. p. 11 (Sunday Magazine). Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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