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History of Stage Musicals

by John Kenrick

(Copyright 1996, Revised 2003)

You can study this history in a brief capsule version that links to the full essays, or go straight to the essays via the links below.

1700-1865

French and Viennese Operetta: 1850-1880

British Music Halls

American Variety

Minstrel Shows

Vaudeville

Burlesque

1866-1879

The First Musical Comedies: 1879-1899

Gilbert and Sullivan

1900-1910

1910-1920

Stage 1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

Stage 1980s

Stage 1990s

Stage 2000s

Stage 2010s

And the Future?

 

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