The theatrical career of Jerome K. Jerome spanned fifty years in the history of the English stage, covering the field from strolling actor and "responsible" in London's East End theaters to drama critic and playwright of one of the most popular plays of Edwardian times, The Passing of the Third Floor Back (1908).

Born in Walsall, Staffordshire, in the mid-Victorian period, Jerome was also successful as a humorist, especially with Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) (1889); as editor of the magazine the Idler and the newspaper To-day; and as an author of novels, notably the autobiographical Paul Kelver (1902). His professional life, however, begins and ends with the drama.

His involvement with the theater is more notable since Jerome's parents, strong Nonconformists, opposed theatergoing and would certainly not have put their only son upon the stage. After Jerome was orphaned at the age of fourteen...