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

On the Stage and Off is a comic memoir of Jerome K. Jerome's experiences as an aspiring actor. It's a truly captivating collection of entertaining accounts on the day-to-day life of a would-be actor, told in Jerome's uniquely humorous manner.He was an English novelist and playwright whose wit and humor won him a massive following. He decided to try his luck at acting under the stage name Harold Crichton at a young age. But after three years of struggle with no evident success, disheartened, Jerome decided to seek other occupations. He tried journalism, writing essays, satires, and short stories, but most of these stood rejected. Finally, he wrote this memoir which became an instant hit soon after its publication.

Jerome describes the events precisely, writing about all the ups and downs. He talks about his determination to become an actor, his life on and off stage, his views on acting, etc. Jerome finally writes beautifully about his last appearance as an actor, leaving the reader emotional.