At first the Empire was devoted to opera. Chilperic was the first production, with a cast including Herbert Standing, Paulus, Walter Wardroper, Harry Paulton, Camille D'Arville, Agnes Consuelo, Sallie Turner, Madge Shirley, and Sismondi. Hayden Coffin joined the company as a chorister. But opera and extravaganza failed to attract; ballet became the staple fare, with a liberal supplement of music hall "turns”.