brownlow joined a d'oyly carte opera company touring company in 1884 and was assigned to the chorus. he travelled to the united states in 1885 in the chorus of "the mikado" with d'oyly carte's first american "mikado" company in new york city and boston. he next toured germany and austria with d'oyly carte in 1886. during this tour, brownlow appeared as the foreman of the jury in "trial by jury", his first principal role. he first appeared at the savoy theatre in london in the chorus in the original 1887 production of "ruddygore". as the understudy to richard temple, brownlow played the character of sir roderick murgatroyd in august 1887.