In 1876 Chevalier organised two amateur performances of "The Quack Doctor" and "Handy Andy" both of which he produced and starred in. In 1877 Chevalier was engaged as an actor under the Bancrofts in London, and for some years played "legitimate" parts at the Court theatre and elsewhere. Chevalier's first professional appearance was alongside Madge Kendal and her husband William in "An Unequal Match" at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, London, on 29 September 1877; Chevalier appeared in the piece under his chosen stage name, Albert Knight. The following year the Kendals engaged him to play the part of "Sam Winkle" in the drama "The Omadhaun Witness" and then in a small role in the comic farce "Checkmate".