| |
Originated during the mid 1800's. Created to ease the stress of the industrialized society and to accommodate the mass majority. The word “vaudeville” referred to American variety shows of comedy, music, jugglers, and drama and other novelties. Possibly the word originated from French term vaux de ville (worth of the city, or worth of the city’s patronage). It was chosen “for its vagueness, its faint, but harmless exoticism, and perhaps its connotation of gentility.” Vaudeville incorporated the comedy of the medicine shows and the drama and excitement of the Wild West shows. The cost to see a vaudeville show was usually around ten cents.
|
