

Shodfriars Hall housed the towns theatre. Arthur moved to Boston with his family in 1890 to a cottage close to Shodfriars.

He became restless after seeing a Pierrot show in Skegness and in the early 1900's he joined a travelling troupe called the 'The Musical Cliftons'. With them he learned his craft. They travelled all over Britain and Ireland an in 1910 he secured a role as the old grandmother in a pantomime in Dublin. The part of Little Red Riding Hood went to a young 13 year old called Catherine 'Kitty' McShane. The young couple fell in love and against her parents wishes they married in 1913.

Arthur and Kitty went on to develop one of Britains most popular double acts - 'Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty'. A career that spanned over 40 years.