This book uses the career of George Yarnold, Comedian, to tell the story of Life in the Georgian Theatre in England in the early 1800s. Starting at Brighton in 1814, he developed his acting skills as a stroller in Sunderland and York circuit companies, before advancing to Drury Lane and Covent Garden in London in the mid-1820s.

During his long career through to 1847, Yarnold's progress was governed by the fortunes of many controversial proprietors and actor-managers, who undertook the risks fo theatrical speculation; such as Robert Elliston, Stephen Price of New York, Alfred Bunn, William Macready, and the Robert Keeleys. He also worked with most of the dramatic and singing stars of the period, including Edmund Kean, James Wallack, John Braham, Sarah Siddons, Dora Jordan, Madame Vestris, Margaret Bunn, and Fanny Kelly. This book is generously illustrated with period images, playbills, performance notes and readings.