Why read On the Stage and Off?

Book cover of On the Stage and Off: The Brief Career of a Would-Be Actor

Book description

This book contains Jerome K. Jerome's 1891 monograph on stage productions, entitled "On the Stage and Off". Within this work, Jerome reflects on his personal experiences - both good and bad - working as an actor in the late-nineteenth century. A fascinating and insightful text, "On the Stage and Off"…

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Why read it?

1 author picked On the Stage and Off as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Patsy Trench

Author

I had no idea before I read this book that Jerome K Jerome started his working life as an actor—or rather a would-be actor, as his acting days didn’t last long. This is a highly entertaining account of his days trying to woo corrupt agents and indifferent theatre managers, and how his own lofty perceptions of his talents as an actor were dashed by absconding producers. His experiences of life at the bottom of the acting ladder are also reflected in other actors’ memoirs, some (but not all) of whom went on to bigger things. A must-read for any parent…

From Patsy's list on early 20th century English theatre and actors.