author

R. J. Broadbent

A theatre historian with a clear fascination for popular entertainment, this writer is best remembered for exploring how pantomime developed over time and for chronicling stage life in Liverpool. His books still appeal to readers interested in performance history and the lively world behind the curtain.

1 Audiobook

A History of Pantomime

A History of Pantomime

by R. J. Broadbent

About the author

R. J. Broadbent was an early 20th-century writer on theatre and performance. The works reliably linked to him include A History of Pantomime (1901), Stage Whispers (first published in 1901), and Annals of the Liverpool Stage (1908), along with a study of Elizabeth Farren, Countess of Derby.

His writing centers on theatrical history, especially pantomime and the stage traditions of Liverpool. A History of Pantomime helped preserve a broad account of the form’s roots and development, while Annals of the Liverpool Stage focused on local theatres and music halls, showing a strong interest in performance as both popular culture and historical record.

Little biographical information about Broadbent himself was readily confirmed from reliable sources consulted here, so the surviving books remain the clearest guide to his interests and reputation. Taken together, they suggest a careful researcher with a lasting enthusiasm for actors, theatres, and the history of live entertainment.