Vaudeville n. : A kind of song of a lively character, frequently embodying a satire on some person or event, sung to a familiar air in couplets with a refrain; a street song; a topical song.

Vaudeville n. : A theatrical piece, usually a comedy, the dialogue of which is intermingled with light or satirical songs, set to familiar airs.

Example:
Did performers really fall through trapdoors in Vaudeville days?

Taxonomy
vaudeville, theatres, circuits, acts, vaudeville theaters, vaudevillians, live performance, vaudeville acts, 1880s, 1930s, middle class, the French, halls, audience, big time, Variety Performers, free encyclopedia, saloons.

Defination from the web:
vaudeville, the multi-act variety entertainment form that flourished in America in the first third of the 20th century.