law began to act, making his professional stage debut in 1872 at the theatre royal, edinburgh. he then toured the british provinces and played at london's surrey theatre for two years, after which joined the german reed entertainments in london in 1874. while performing with the german reeds, he wrote nineteen short comic theatre works performed by the company. in 1877, law married actress fanny holland, with whom he appeared with the german reeds at the gallery of illustration and st. george's hall. the couple had a son named hamilton patrick john holland law (born 1879).