Fortune's Fool (1897 play)


Fortune's Fool is a 1897 Australian play by Alfred Dampier. It depicted "the Strange and Adventurous Career of a Vagabond Wanderer and his Daughter."
Dampier performed in the play before heading to London.

Reception

The Sunday Times said it "contained enough blood and thunder to satisfy the palate of even the greatest lover of the sensational."
The Daily Telegraph said "The plot of the piece is ingenious, and gives plenty of scope for fine work, both on the part of the playwright and the actors."
The Australian Star called it "nothing extraordinary... a piece of a class which may be characterised as strong or heavy, but it is interesting, and a great deal of the heaviness is removed by a vein of comedy which is introduced in parts by the subordinate characters."
Dampier took the play with him to London and tried to sell it as With False Colours. However he was unsuccessful.

Premise

Harold Norton is an actor who wanders the country after the death of his wife.

Cast of original production

''Everyday London''

Dampier presented a play the following year with a similar plot called Everyday London. This may have been Fortune's Fool rewritten.