 Heggie appeared in local amateur dramatic companies before leaving his clerk position with the Union Bank, to pursue a career in acting and make his debut in "Stolen Kisses" in 1899 at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide.He made his professional debut in "A Message from Mars" at the Palace, Sydney, in 1900.He later took the part of the messenger in the same play at the Bijou, Melbourne, and in the production that toured Australia and New Zealand under Walter Hawtrey.