 With G. R. Sims, he created a substantial body of very successful works, including "In the Ranks" (1883, 457 performances at the Adelphi Theatre) and "The Harbour Lights" (1885, 513 performances at the Adelphi).Their Gaiety Theatre musical burlesques included "Faust up to date" (1888), which remained a hit for several years and coined a new meaning for the phrase "up-to-date", meaning "abreast" of the latest styles and facts.Their next hit was "Carmen up to Data" (1890).