 At the end of 1882, Pounds began touring in "Iolanthe" in the leading tenor role of Earl Tolloller.In 1884, he toured as Prince Hilarion in the first provincial production of "Princess Ida", 

In 1885 Pounds toured as the Defendant in "Trial by Jury", a role he later played in numerous benefit performances in London and elsewhere.He also toured in the role of Ralph in "H.M.S.