New series 1/3. Geoffrey Wheeler presents this series about the history of American vaudeville. Like music hall in Britain, vaudeville was a product of its time. Increasing urbanisation and a desire to present entertainment that would appeal to the whole family led to the development of vast vaudeville circuits on which tens of thousands of performers earned their living. Among those who learnt their trade in vaudeville were future stars such as Fred Astaire , Bob Hope , Jack Benny and jazz singer Ma Rainey. Producer Libby Cross