Another early success for the young couple was "The Circus Girl" (1896). Hicks and Terriss both had a comedy background, and they transformed the "lovers" roles in the new genre of Edwardian musicals from overly sentimental to mischievous and light-hearted characters exchanging witty banter. Hicks then worked as co-author on "The Yashmak" and then on one of the Gaiety Theatre's most successful shows, "A Runaway Girl" (1898), in which Terriss played the title role. This was followed by "With Flying Colours" (1899). Also in 1899, Hicks starred as the Duc De Richelieu in "A Court Scandal", a comedy adapted by Aubrey Boucicault and Osmond Shillingford from "Les Premières Armes de Richelieu" by Dumanoir, at the Court Theatre. The same year, he and Terriss adopted a daughter, Mabel, and Terriss gave birth to their second child, Elizabeth ("Betty), in 1904.