Grossmith toured in the summer of 1871 with Mr and Mrs Howard Paul and occasionally afterwards. He and Mrs Paul would also appear together in "The Sorcerer" in 1877. Also in 1871, at the Polytechnic, he performed three more sketches, "The Puddleton Penny Readings", "Theatricals at Thespis Lodge" and "The Silver Wedding" (including what would be one of his most popular songs, "I am so Volatile", with words by his father). On 14 February 1872, Grossmith gave a sketch parody of a penny reading at the Gaiety Theatre, London, since on Ash Wednesday, theatres refrained from presenting costumed performances out of respect for the holiday. At the time, coincidentally, the Gaiety was presenting "Thespis", Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration. Throughout these years, Grossmith continued working at Bow Street during the day.