Following his separation from Bernhardt, Damala attempted returning to the diplomatic world. His re-entrance in the diplomatic profession proved very hard for him, though, and he remained in the acting profession. That same year, in 1883, he performed the most memorable role of his career (save for Armand) as "Philippe Berlay" opposite Jane Hading in the stage adaptation of Georges Ohnet's novel, "Maître de Forges" ("Ironmaster"). The play was a great success and ran through the entire year in the Théâtre du Gymnase, in Marseille.