His first stage appearance was a in production of Trial by Jury at the old Gaiety Theatre. He appeared in The Chimes of Normandy in 1879, and then worked with the McCaull Comic Opera Company and other light opera companies.
He made his first stage debut in a production of "Trial by Jury" at the historic Gaiety Theatre.  He later performed in "The Chimes of Normandy" in 1879, before joining the McCaull Comic Opera Company and other light opera ensembles.