English writer, costumer, comedian, actor.
Although largely associated with the London theatre, Alfred Maltby spent a brief period of time in Australia during the mid/late 1880s, mostly in the employ of Williamson, Garner and Musgrove. Three of his libretti for that firm were the pantomimes Sleeping Beauty (1886), Jack the Giant Killer (1887), and Robinson Crusoe (1887). For the latter two productions, Maltby also designed the costumes. In October 1886, he combined stage managing duties and acting for the Williamson, Garner and Musgrove Royal Comedy Company production Betsy (Bijou Theatre, Melbourne), appearing as Mr Dawson opposite Harry St Maur (Captain McManus).
Alfred Maltby's (non-Australian) English-produced works include Should This Meet the Eye (Royal Lyceum, London, 1871); the comediaetta Two Flats and a Sharp, described as 'an original domestic trio' (Globe Theatre, London, 1873); Your Vote and Interest, which was billed as 'an electioneering squib' (Royal Court Theatre, London, 1874); Don Quixote (Alhambra Theatre, London, 1876), with Harry Paulton (libretto) and Frederick Clay (music); the farce Just My Luck (1878); Mefistofele II (Bradford, 1881); and Borrowed Plumes (Adelphi Theatre, London, 1885).
Maltby was also one of the principal costume designers at the Adelphi theatre, London, between 1873 and 1876.
